Kentucky Downs announces turf course and rail renovations

Ron Moore hired to oversee program

FRANKLIN, Ky. (July 17, 2014) – The purchase of a world class turf rail and a number of other course improvements are underway for the 2014 Kentucky Downs live race meet which begins on Saturday, Sept. 6. The five-day season, which will offer a daily average purse structure of more than $1 million, is conducted on North America’s only European-style turf course.

Overseeing the improvements will be Ron Moore, formerly the track superintendent at Santa Anita and Lone Star Park, when the latter track hosted the 2004 Breeders’ Cup. The first steps of dethatching, overseeding, soil conditioning, aerating and improving drainage have been completed. The new rail installation will take place in August, as well as the completion of a comprehensive fertilization program.

“The Kentucky Downs meet brings some of the best horses in the country,” Moore said. “I have had a long association with (Kentucky Downs president) Corey Johnsen and know that, first and foremost, he is a horseman. His number one priority is safety for the horse and rider.”

The new rail is from Duralock Fencing Systems, which was selected based on their exemplary reputation as a world leader in equestrian fencing and rails. Duralock is the supplier at first class racecourses throughout the world, including Ascot, Aintree, Belmont, Saratoga, The Curragh, Epsom, Chantilly and Meydan Racecourse.

“There is nothing more important than the consistency and safety of our turf course,” said Johnsen. “I am looking forward to hosting the premier turf horses in North America in our upcoming live meet. Improvements to our turf course and purses in excess of $1 million a day illustrate our commitment to world class racing.”

Kentucky Downs will offer racing on Sept. 6, 10, 13, 17 and 24 for its 23rd live racing season. The meet’s signature event is the Grade 3, $600,000 Kentucky Turf Cup. The 1 ½ mile stakes race will be run on Saturday, Sept. 13.

For more information on the full stakes schedule, visit KentuckyDowns.com.

Located near the Kentucky-Tennessee border off Interstate 65, the year-round entertainment center offers live racing on its unique mile and five-sixteenth European-style turf course in September. Simulcasting is available seven days a week, as well as pari-mutuel wagering on historical horse races, charitable gaming, dining and other events.Horse racing has been conducted at the facility since1990, when it was called Dueling Grounds Race Course.