Keeneland asks to shift simulcasting to Red Mile

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Keeneland Racecourse has asked the state racing commission for permission to transfer its year-round simulcasting operations to the Red Mile harness track near downtown Lexington, according to records made available by the commission on Monday.

Under the plan, Keeneland would shutter its year-round simulcasting operations “except on days when there are horse sales, live racing, and significant racing events such as the Kentucky Derby," according to a request to the commission written by Vince Gabbert, the track’s chief operating officer. On all other days, Thoroughbred simulcasts would be available only at a new simulcasting facility planned for the Red Mile, which is undergoing massive renovations to make way for the opening of a parlor that will hold hundreds of slot machine-like devices called historical racing machines. Keeneland is a partner with the Red Mile in the project.

“Keeneland and Red Mile believe offering pari-mutuel wagering in this manner will provide a modern and high-quality experience for its patrons and the community at large,” the request said.

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission is expected to consider the request on Wednesday at a regularly scheduled meeting.
Gabbert did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

For decades, Keeneland, located on the west edge of Lexington, has been the only Lexington location where bettors could place wagers on Thoroughbred simulcasts, while the Red Mile has been the only location for harness-racing simulcasts. Neither location offers high-quality amenities to simulcasting patrons, such as those found at Las Vegas sports books.

However, the new simulcasting parlor at the Red Mile will be designed around the sports-book concept, according to officials with knowledge of the plan. The request written by Gabbert states that Keeneland and the Red Mile are devoting $2 million to the new parlor.

The request states that the distribution of revenue from Thoroughbred simulcasts “would be treated as if they were placed at Keeneland,” meaning statutes already in place governing the distribution of revenue would remain in force.

Late last year, the racing commission approved a plan by Keeneland and the Red Mile to partner on the historical-racing facility at the Red Mile’s downtown location. The facility is expected to open by September of this year, with plans for the eventual operation of 1,000 of the machines.

The machines use the results of previously run races to generate random numbers determining payouts to customers. A lawsuit filed by anti-gambling opponents in Kentucky contending the machines violate the state constitution’s prohibition on slot machines has not yet been resolved.