Big numbers a theme at Kentucky Downs
FRANKLIN, Ky. – All-sources handle for the coming Saturday at Kentucky Downs likely will approach the track record set last year on the comparable date, given the overall depth of the card and with Saratoga and Del Mar closed. Handle for the Sept. 9, 2017, card was more than $8.48 million, easily the highest in track history.
The handle last Saturday was $6.2 million, second-highest in track history. There was no viable comparable date for 2017 because the track opened on a Wednesday when weather forced the Saturday opener to be canceled.
Splits to be hand-timed
Because of unavailable personnel, internal fractions for the timing of races Saturday were not made public nor included on race charts. Only the final race times were provided by the computerized Teletimer system that also produces photographs of the finish.
Track spokesman C.J. Johnsen said he expects races for the next four days to be hand-timed and for splits to be published, although they will not be available on the simulcast feed as races are being run.
Favorites prompt in stakes
Although favorites were defeated in the first five races Saturday, they came through with flying colors afterward. Four of the last five winners were favored, including in three of the four stakes that ended the 10-race card. Bound for Nowhere, the 9-5 second choice in the Tourist Mile, was the only exception.
Here are the winning percentages for favorites in recent years at Kentucky Downs: 2014–44; 2015–25; 2016–34; 2017–26.
Big fields again Thursday
After 113 horses started on the 10-race Saturday opener, an average of 11.3 per race, more huge fields will be in action Thursday as all 10 races drew at least the 12-horse maximum. The gaudy numbers – 120 in the main body of races; 29 also-eligibles; and 33 exclusions.
Here are the average field sizes in recent years: 2014–10.1; 2015–10.6; 2016–10.9; 2017–10.4.
◗ Trainer Norman Casse said he expects to have multiple entries this weekend at Kentucky Downs, but won’t be here to saddle his horses for good reason: He is getting married Saturday in Maryland to Gabby Gaudet, the television racing analyst who works primarily for the New York Racing Association.
◗ Robby Albarado, the veteran jockey who ranks 31st all-time with 5,146 wins, has hired Jake Romans as his new agent. Romans, the 22-year-old son of trainer Dale Romans, also will continue to work for Channing Hill.
◗ Even before the final 12 races were run Monday to close the 29-day summer meet at Ellis Park in western Kentucky, titles already had been wrapped up by jockey Corey Lanerie, trainer Brad Cox, and owner Joey K. Davis.
