The current meeting at Kentucky Downs is probably the most unique of any track in North America.

    No. 1 - There are 10 races on today's program and the least number of entrants in any race is 10, in the third. The total for the entire program is 153, an average of 15.3 per race. What management at Gulfstream Park, Saratoga and Del Mar wouldn't give for numbers like that. 

    No. 2 - Like every day, the purses in almost every race are supplemented by money earned from the track's historical races, and the figures are from another world. Here's a race-by-race breakdown of the total purse money for each race, and the amount generated by wagering on the historical races:

    1st - $55,000 - $44,550.

    2nd - $130,000 - $113,100.

    3rd - $145,000 - $124,700.

    4th - $130,000 - $113,100.

    5th - $130,000 - $113,100.

    6th - $140,000 - $120,400.

    7th - $130,000 - $113,100.

    8th - Franklin Simpson Stakes: $300,000 - $258,000.

    9th - Ramsey Farm Stakes: $400,000.

    10th - $50,000 - $40,500.  

    Totals - $1,610,000 in purses - $1,040,550 generated from historical races.

    I have often read comments by the legion of pessimists that racing has to be buoyed by outside sources in order to stay afloat (like casinos). My answer is: tell that to the owners and trainers who have showed up for this meeting. I'm sure they will be embarrassed to accept their winnings.  

    

     

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