Churchill officials pleased with September success

The new September Meet at Churchill Downs completed its 12-day run on

September 29 with encouraging results and memorable races that have track

officials excited about future growth and success for the new entertainment and

racing product in 2014.

The meet's results were a significant improvement on Kentucky's September

racing calendar and the average daily all-sources mutuel handle over its

four-week run tripled the 2012 performance at Turfway Park, which had held the

September racing dates in recent years. Average daily all-sources handle during

Churchill Downs' September Meet was $3,857,898, an increase of 201 percent from

Turfway Park's daily average of $1,283,638 in 2012.

The meet also featured strong "Downs After Dark" night racing programs on

September 7 and September 28 that attracted combined attendance of 29,448. The

latter, which featured the theme of "Homecoming Dance: A Night to Remember" and

an appearance by reigning Breeders' Cup Classic winner Fort Larned in the

inaugural $191,275 Homecoming Classic, attracted 15,485 fans.

The meet was the first Churchill Downs racing session since 1890 to be

conducted exclusively in the month of September. The addition of the September

Meet to the track's racing schedule will make 2013 the first year during which

the track will conduct three separate racing meets. Its 25-day Fall Meet is

scheduled for October 27-November 30.

"We are very encouraged by the reception for our September Meet in its

inaugural year from fans who visited Churchill Downs or participated by wagering

via TwinSpires.com and other online platforms, and in satellite betting

outlets," said Kevin Flanery, president of Churchill Downs Racetrack. "Our team

created an exciting and attractive new entertainment and racing product for fans

throughout the region and provided Kentucky horsemen with a strong and viable

racing option during an important time on the racing calendar. We can't wait to

make the September Meet even more exciting in 2014."

Bet Horseracing Free Online at TwinSpires.com