Turfway opens new facility and grandstand

Turfway Park on Thursday opened its new grandstand and historical horse racing facility to the public nearly 18 months after ground was broken on the $145 million project.

Officials from parent company Churchill Downs Inc. were on hand Tuesday evening at the northern Kentucky track for a soft opening of the new building, which will house more than 1,500 of the slots-like machines, seating with trackside views, and a simulcasting area.

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Turfway will continue to host racing on a one-mile Tapeta track, with four months of winter racing set to start Nov. 30.

◗ All-sources handle at the 23-day Ellis Park meet, which ended last Sunday, was up nearly 20 percent from last year’s meet, according to officials at the western Kentucky. Specific handle numbers and purse payouts were not released by track management. Field size of 7.92 starters per race was up over the 2021 meet (7.13), while favorites won at a 30 percent clip (58 of 193).

◗ The second race Sunday at Kentucky Downs will honor the memory of Rick Leigh, who died in October 2020 after a lifelong career in racing. Leigh was the stepfather of Kentucky Downs racing secretary Tyler Picklesimer.