Kentucky Downs plans to increase purses for nine of its 18 stakes by a total of $3.7 million from what was originally announced, pending regulatory approval.
Heading the way is the Nashville Derby Invitational (G3T), bumped from $2.5 million to $3.1 million. That would make the 1 5/16-mile stakes North America's second-richest race for Kentucky-breds behind only the $5 million Kentucky Derby (G1) among races held at one track. The Nashville Derby already was America's richest turf race for Kentucky-breds outside the $5 million Breeders' Cup Turf (G1T), whose location moves around with the Breeders' Cup World Championships.
The nine requested purse hikes are a combination of increasing the association money that forms a race's base purse for which every horse runs and supplements from the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund restricted to registered Kentucky-breds. For instance, the Nashville Derby would increase to a base purse of $1.9 million, with $1.2 million in KTDF, if approved.
Kentucky Downs' seven-day meet runs Aug. 29 and 31 and Sept. 1, 5, 7, 8 and 11, featuring nine graded stakes. If approved, total purse money offered at the meet would be $37 million, including seven stakes worth at least $2 million with the KTDF supplements. The number of stakes worth at least $1 million for Kentucky-breds would reach 15, with the restricted Tapit and One Dreamer stakes and the new Nashville Gold Cup at $500,000 apiece. In addition, the National Thoroughbred League Overnight Handicap will have a $500,000 purse.
A purse increase from $1 million to $2.5 million for the Nashville Derby, formerly the Dueling Grounds Derby, was announced in April. The increase included Kentucky-bred purse supplements.
Other requested increases:
- The Kentucky Downs Ladies Marathon (G3T) purse would double from $1 million to $2 million, giving the Sept. 7 showcase card six stakes worth $2 million apiece for Kentucky-breds.
- The track's four 2-year-old stakes each received a $250,000 increase to $1 million with the Kentucky-bred supplements.
- The Aug. 31 Ladies Turf Sprint (G2T) would increase to $1.5 million from $1 million in total purse money offered.
- The closing-day Dueling Grounds Oaks Invitational would go to $1.6 million; the requested $100,000 increase in base purse means 3-year-old fillies foaled outside of Kentucky still will compete for a $1 million.
- The Gun Runner Stakes for 3-year-olds at a mile would receive a $500,000 increase to $1.5 million for Kentucky-breds.
The KTDF increases must be approved by the newly formed Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation (previously the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission) after first getting a favorable recommendation from its KTDF advisory committee. Base purses are set in consultation with the Kentucky HBPA, which represents owners and trainers at Kentucky Downs.
The deadline is Aug. 19 to make free nominations to the stakes held Aug. 29 and 31 and Sept. 1; nominations are due by Aug. 21 for the remaining stakes. Requests for invitations to the Nashville Derby are due by Aug. 17; requests for invitations to the Dueling Grounds Oaks are due by Aug. 27.
