Kentucky Downs officials keeping a close eye on Harvey remnants

The folks at Kentucky Downs have led a charmed existence in recent years. Now let’s see if they can do anything about the weather.

As of Wednesday, the remnants of Hurricane Harvey were heading directly toward Kentucky Downs in south-central Kentucky, and track officials at the turf-only track were concerned that its Saturday opener of the five-day meet might have to be postponed. An announcement on the status of the card is expected to come Friday at 5 p.m. Central.

“We’re trying to stay optimistic,” said C.J. Johnsen, director of broadcasting and interstate wagering.

Johnsen said the card will be made up if needed, although it won’t be Sunday or Monday, when Ellis Park will host the last two cards of its summer meet. Other scheduled dates at Kentucky Downs are Sept. 7, 9, 10, and 14. Churchill Downs starts an 11-day meet on Sept. 15.

Entries for the Saturday opener at Kentucky Downs were being drawn Wednesday, with four stakes on tap and the usual eye-popping assortment of $140,000 allowances and $130,000 maiden-specials as accompaniments. The stakes are the $400,000 Tourist; the $350,000 Kentucky Downs Juvenile and Juvenile Fillies; and the $150,000 One Dreamer.

Top names expected for the one-mile Tourist include Are You Kidding Me, Flatlined, Pleuven, Special Ops, and Western Reserve.

Among the new features at the meet is the Jockey7 wager, from which a portion of the handle will benefit the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund. The wager will be conducted on the last seven races of each card, with win-place-show, exacta, and trifecta wagering available. The wager is based on how 13 jockeys fare with their mounts in those races.

Johnsen said final parameters for the jockey wager won’t be set until scratches are finalized the day before each card and that he has “no idea” how much handle the new bet might attract. Updated details will be available through the track website and all wagering accounts accessing the tote system.

As always, trainers and jockeys from both coasts and in between will be shipping in for the brief Kentucky Downs stand. Jose Ortiz, the leading jockey at the Saratoga meet, is expected to ride all but opening day, according to agent Jimmy Riccio. Florent Geroux, the leading jockey at the 2016 Kentucky Downs meet with 12 wins, will be back.

Purses for all non-claiming races include substantial bonuses restricted to eligible Kentucky-bred horses. First post daily is 1:25 p.m. Central.