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KEEP Adds Five to Its Board

The Board of Directors of the Kentucky Equine Education Project has added five new members.

Simulcast Facility to Open in Amarillo, Texas

The Saddle Brook Jockey Club will be operated by Corey Johnsen's Magellan Gaming company. It will offer simulcast wagering and dining in a sports bar experience.

Churchill Downs Gets OK for September Dates

After last-minute horse-trading and some tough compromises, Kentucky's five Thoroughbred tracks have reached agreement on a 2013 calendar that drastically alters the traditional schedule.

Churchill Applies for September Race Dates

After much deliberating, KHRC committee members voted to reconvene at a later date to make their final recommendations for 2013 race dates in question to the full commission, which meets Oct. 17.

Kentucky Downs Seeks Three March Dates in '13

Kentucky Downs, the all-turf track that recently completed a hugely successful five-day meet, is seeking eight live racing dates in 2013, including three in March.

Kentucky Downs Completes Most Succesful Meet

Kentucky Downs ended its most successful live race meet Sept. 19 in Franklin, establishing new benchmarks for on-track and all sources handle while hosting some of the highest quality racing the track has seen.

Kentucky Downs President Corey Johnsen

Kentucky Downs president Corey Johnsen discusses 2012 meet, historical racing.

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Kentucky Downs Enjoys Successful Opening Day

Kentucky Downs saw a significant increase in wagering as its brief meet got underway Sept. 8 in Franklin, Ky.

Kentucky Downs Accredited by Safety Alliance

Kentucky Downs in Franklin, Ky., has become the 24th racetrack to be fully accredited by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association's Safety and Integrity Alliance.

KY Downs Reduces Takeout Rates, Adds Wagers

Kentucky Downs has announced a reduction in takeout rates for all wagers during the six-day all-turf meet at the Franklin, Ky. track that begins Sept. 8.

Churchill Increases Kentucky Downs Investment

Churchill Downs Inc. has invested at least an additional $1 million in Kentucky Downs, the track in South Central Kentucky that has reaped millions in revenues from Instant Racing machines introduced last fall.

Record Purses on Tap for Kentucky Downs Meet

As a result of revenues generated by Instant Racing, Kentucky Downs will offer record purses during the six-day, all-turf meet that begins Sept. 8.

Kentucky Reaping Benefits of Instant Racing

When Kentucky Downs conducts its short, all-turf meet in September, it will offer some of the most lucrative purses in the Bluegrass State this year, thanks to the success of Instant Racing.

Instant Racing Expands as Popularity Grows

With wagering on Instant Racing growing each month, Kentucky Downs racetrack has received approval to add 75 more electronic games to the 200 that have been in use since Sept. 1.

Churchill Increases Kentucky Downs' Interest

Churchill Downs Inc. has agreed to purchase an additional interest in Kentucky Downs, the track in Franklin, Ky., that has seen a rise in business since the introduction of Instant Racing in late 2011.

KEEP Online Stallion Auction Begins Dec. 16

The Kentucky Equine Education Project announced Dec. 7 that it will host an online stallion season auction beginning Dec. 16. The auction will last until Dec. 22.

Instant Racing Poised to Expand in Kentucky

With Instant Racing off to a successful start at Kentucky Downs, other tracks in the Bluegrass state are making plans to usher in the form of electronic gaming.

Instant Racing Fuels Kentucky Downs Increases

Citing increased numbers of patrons attracted by Instant Racing, Kentucky Downs reported live on-track handle for its four-day all-turf meet increased 2.9% to total $313,614.

KY Downs Placing Judge Posted Wrong Finish

The president of Kentucky Downs said a placing judge's error was responsible for an incorrect placing of the horses' finish position in a Sept. 10 race at the Franklin, Ky., track.

Instant Racing Tied to Simulcast Handle Jump

Kentucky Downs said the launch of Instant Racing Sept. 1 led to year-over-year increases in pari-mutuel handle on simulcast races over Labor Day weekend.

Kentucky Downs Says Instant Racing Play Good

Kentucky Downs is reporting receipts of more than a half-million dollars from Instant Racing machines during their first five days of operation.

Instant Racing Launched at Kentucky Downs

Kentucky Downs Sept. 1 officially became the first racetrack in the state to operate expanded pari-mutuel wagering in the form of Instant Racing machines.

Kentucky Downs: 'Canary in the Coal Mine'

Amid the uncertainty of reception in the marketplace and a lingering legal challenge, Kentucky Downs officially christened expanded pari-mutuel wagering via Instant Racing machines during an evening reception Aug. 30.

KY Downs to Launch Instant Racing Sept. 1

Kentucky Downs will inaugurate Instant Racing in Kentucky Sept. 1 and believes the form of pari-mutuel wagering can help restore "vibrancy" to the state's horse racing industry.

KY Downs' Instant Racing to be First Class

The president of Kentucky Downs said the track is nearing completion of work needed to implement a form of Instant Racing and that it will be a "first class" operation and that the opening date will be announced soon.

Horsemen to Help Defray Instant Racing Costs

When Kentucky Downs becomes the first Kentucky track to implement Instant Racing, it will do so with the takeout from the electronic games allocated to purses during the first year being used to help defray startup costs.

Johnsen: Instant Racing to Boost Industry

The president of Kentucky Downs says action by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission July 14 approving a new form of exotic wagering that uses electronic machines will provide an economic and morale boost to the industry.

KY Commission Set to OK First Instant Racing

The staff of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission is recommending that the regulatory body on July 14 grant approval to Kentucky Downs to become the first track in the state to implement Instant Racing.

KY Downs Preparing Instant Racing Application

It appears Kentucky Downs will be the first racetrack in the state to apply to the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission for an Instant Racing license.

KEEP to Host Telephone Town Hall Meeting

The Kentucky Equine Education Project and Corey Johnsen, the organization's new chairman, will host a telephone town hall meeting May 18 at 7:00 p.m. EDT.

Corey Johnsen Elected KEEP Chairman

The Kentucky Equine Education Project board of directors elected Corey Johnsen March 29 to serve as its chairman of the board.

Jockeys' Guild Assembly in Arizona Dec. 7-8

The Jockeys' Guild will conduct its annual Assembly Dec. 7-8 at the Westin La Paloma Resort in Tucson, Arizona. The meeting is being held in conjunction with the University of Arizona's 2009 Symposium on Racing and Gaming.

Racing Cutbacks at Two Kentucky Tracks

Facing the harsh realities posed by a weak economy and stiff competition from racetracks in nearby states with more lucrative purses boosted by alternative gaming, two Kentucky tracks April 7 received permission to cut their live race dates this year.

Kentucky Racing Industry 'at Risk'

Representatives of two Kentucky Thoroughbred tracks said they will be forced to reduce racing dates due to declining economic conditions, with the owner of Ellis Park saying his track would not race in 2010 unless alternative gaming is legalized in the Bluegrass State.

On-Track Business Up at Kentucky Downs

Kentucky Downs wrapped up its 16th season of live racing with increases in on-track business for its six-day turf-only race meet that ended Sept. 23.

Silverfoot Favored in Kentucky Cup Turf

Eight-year-old gelding Silverfoot headlines a field of 10 in the $200,000 Kentucky Cup Turf (gr. IIIT), the highlight of Kentucky Downs' six-day turf meet which begins Sept. 13.

Kentucky Downs To Host Fall Meet

Kentucky Downs is gearing up to host its live race season this September. The southern Kentucky track's fall meet will include six days of turf contests from Sept. 13-23.

Kentucky Downs Announces Stakes Schedule

Highlighted by the $200,000 Kentucky Cup Turf (gr. IIIT) and the return of Steeplechase racing to Kentucky Downs, the 2008 stakes schedule was released today for Kentucky Downs' upcoming live meeting, which runs from Sept. 13-23.

Kentucky Downs Reports Handle Gains

Kentucky Downs concluded its 2007 meet with its second-highest on-track handle and third-largest total handle in the racetrack's 17-year history, officials said closing day, Sept. 25.

Lang Named Senior Racing Advisor at Kentucky Downs

Chick Lang, known as the father of the modern day Preakness Stakes (gr. I), has been named senior racing advisor at Kentucky Downs, the track's president Corey Johnsen announced today Aug. 15.

Sale Final on Kentucky Downs

Closing is now finalized on the sale of the Kentucky Downs racetrack in Franklin, Ky., and the new majority owners have hit the ground running in preparation for hosting the fall race meeting, Sept. 15-25.

Kentucky Downs Sold; Johnsen Majority Owner

A partnership led by former Magna Entertainment Corp. executive Corey Johnsen and Texas investment banker Ray Reid have purchased the majority interest in Kentucky Downs near Franklin, Ky.

Shubeck, Hail, Newman Appointed to Leadership Positions at Lone Star

Magna Entertainment has named Drew Shubeck president and general manager of Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie. In addition, G.W. Hail and Paula Newman have been promoted to vice-president and assistant general manager.

Johnsen Resigns Magna Post; Joins Investors Acquiring Track

Corey Johnsen has resigned as president of Magna Entertainment Corp. southern operations to join a group of private investors that is in the process of acquiring controlling interest of another North American racetrack.

Lone Star Switching to 4-Day Week in 2007

Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie Wednesday was granted 99 live racing dates for 2007, including a 67-date spring Thoroughbred season that will cover 16 weeks from April 12 through July 29.

TRA Members Commit $250,000 to Permanently Disabled Jockeys

The Thoroughbred Racing Associations' members announced April 24 pledges of more than $250,000 in early commitment funds to aid the nation's permanently disabled jockeys.

Lone Star Park Charitable Foundation Awards $60,000 to Charity

The Lone Star Park Charitable Foundation for Grand Prairie, a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization, awarded $60,000 to 14 Grand Prairie, Texas charities March 7 during a ceremony at Lone Star Park.

Texas Industry Still Hoping for Gaming Vote

The regular session of the Texas legislature concluded without tossing so much as a crumb toward horse racing, but the state's racing industry remains hopeful lawmakers could soon consider video lottery terminals for racetracks.

Report: 2004 Breeders' Cup Generated $47.4 Million For Texas

The 21st running of the Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships last October at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie, Texas helped generate $47.4 million in new economic activity for that state, according to a study released Thursday.

Lone Star Park Charitable Foundation Awards $60,000

The Lone Star Park Charitable Foundation for Grand Prairie awarded $60,000 to 18 Grand Prairie, Texas charities March 17 during a ceremony at Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie.