Kentucky Downs wraps up meet with record all-sources handle

Kentucky Downs concluded an historic season on Wednesday, when

live all-sources handle soared to $3,371,476, an all-time

record and a 117 percent increase over the final day in 2012.

For its five days of live racing, from all sources,

Kentucky Downs handled $12,814,966, an all-time record and an increase of 69.3

percent from a year ago. On-track handle of $645,343 increased 17 percent over

2012.

"This season showed what can be accomplished when we all

work together," said Corey Johnsen, Kentucky Downs' president. "We were proud to

offer quality racing with a low takeout, and horseplayers responded with record

handle."

Kentucky Downs paid out $4,121,142 in purses and Kentucky

Thoroughbred Development Fund money. That established a record for the racetrack

and represented an increase of 103.9 percent percent from a year ago. The purses were

augmented by revenue derived from pari-mutuel wagering on historical horse

races, which accounted for more than 70 percent of the total.

Beyond the numbers, the season also succeeded in establishing the Franklin,

Kentucky, racetrack in the popular awareness and putting it

in the national spotlight.

Rosie Napravnik, who's the fifth leading jockey in

the country, topped the Kentucky Downs' standings with eight wins. In his first

trip around the unique course, Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens rode the winner

of the Kentucky Turf Cup, Temeraine.

Ken and Sarah Ramsey, who were the

leading owners at the recently concluded Saratoga meeting, topped the Kentucky

Downs standings with a record nine wins. And Wayne Catalano, who sits securely

atop the trainers' standings at Arlington near Chicago, assumed the same

position here with 10 victories.

"What impressed me most about the season," Johnsen said,

"was that we had top quality horses, trainers and jockeys from all over the

country. And, in my opinion, we had some terrific races, showcasing our great

sport at the highest level."

The numbers:

Live All Sources Handle		$12,814,966		+69 percent
Live On Track Handle		$645,343		+17 percent
Purses/KTDF Paid		$4,121,142		+103.9 percent
Average Horses per Race		9.96

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