Kentucky Downs to offer record purses during five-day meet

The 2014 Kentucky Downs live all-turf racing season will

feature record purses in excess of $1 million per card for each of its five

days. September 6 is opening day at the Franklin, Kentucky, racetrack,

with full cards set for September 10, 13,

17 and 24.

"More than $1 million in daily purse structure will make

2014 a breakout year for Kentucky Downs," Kentucky Downs President Corey Johnsen

said. "I believe that record purse money combined with a world class turf course

will attract many of North America's horses, jockeys and trainers. We have also

slightly modified our stakes schedule to mirror many of the distances in this

year's Breeders' Cup."

The signature event of the track's 23rd meet is the Grade

3, $600,000 Kentucky Turf Cup, up from $400,000 in 2013. The 1 1/2-mile stakes anchors an exceptional Kentucky Downs Million Day on September 13. The four stakes on Million Day have been modified to parallel key

events at the Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships.

The opening day card will feature three stakes, including

the inaugural running of the $250,000 Dueling Grounds Derby for three-year-olds at a

distance of 1 5/16 miles. The stakes is named in honor of the

racetrack's original moniker, which was renamed as Kentucky Downs in 2007.

The

meet will wrap on September 24. The closing day program

will include the $200,000 Kentucky Downs Turf Dash and $200,000 Kentucky

Downs Ladies Marathon.

All races and stakes have received significant increases

due to the matching funds support from the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development

Fund (KTDF). The $150,000 stakes races run in 2013 are now $200,000; each

allowance race will offer $100,000; and purses of $90,000 will be offered for

two-year-old maiden special weight events.

This is the second year that Kentucky

Downs has boosted purses, due in large part, from pari-mutuel wagering on

historical horse races.

Tyler Picklesimer will serve as racing secretary at

Kentucky Downs, and has posted the 2014 condition book on

KentuckyDowns.com.

"Kentucky Downs has enjoyed the support of top horsemen for many years," Picklesimer

said. "Not only are the purses exceptional, but our

turf course is in great shape. Horses come out of their races in top condition

as evidenced by the large number who won at the 2013 Keeneland meeting."

KENTUCKY DOWNS 2014 STAKES SCHEDULE

Saturday, September 6

Saturday, September 13

Wednesday, September 24

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