High-stakes turf racing returns to Kentucky Downs Thursday, August 29th.
The 2024 Kentucky Downs meet will consist of seven dates – August 29th and 31st, and September 1st, 5th, 7th, 8th, and 11th.
This event is short, fast, and a lot of fun. It offers some of the richest racing in all of North America with all-star jockeys and trainers.
You can expect big fields (and payouts) for all of the seven days.
Kentucky Downs leads the nation in average field size based on its 2023 meet with 10.2 starters per route and 10.7 starters in sprints.
Kentucky Downs is home to a 1 5/16-mile turf course featuring a non-oval shape and undulations up and down hills with subtle elevation changes throughout the course and a sweeping turn leading into a quarter-mile stretch run, making Kentucky Downs the most quirky course in North America.
The elite horses and horsemen come to Kentucky Downs for the purses.
Boosted by revenue from its attached casino, Kentucky Downs leads the nation with average daily purses over $5 million, based on total purses of the meet of $37 million (including $15 million in Kentucky-bred funds).
A big portion of the daily purses at Kentucky Downs is distributed via the extensive program of 18 Stakes races including nine Graded Stakes. Six races at the mini-meet will offer purses of $2 million or more.
With huge purse money being offered at such a short competition, it is no wonder Kentucky Downs attracts the highest average field sizes, which is also a benefit for horseplayers.
With large field sizes, you can also expect large payouts because the two usually go hand-in-hand at Kentucky Downs.
The national average of Winning favorites always hovers around 30-33%, but at Kentucky Downs it is only 26% based on last year.
This is not to say the Kentucky Downs races are impossible to handicap however, because roughly 65-70% of Kentucky Downs races are Won by one of the first four favorites.
Astute horseplayers can enjoy a solid Winning edge handicapping Kentucky Downs.
Looking for betting Value? You need look no further than these seven day at Kentucky Downs.
