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Kentucky DownsLive Kentucky Downs Odds from Bodog Racebook
Kentucky Downs Facts: The Kentucky Downs was originally called the Dueling Ground. This was not a racetrack; rather it was a place to settle one's honor. Legendary people in American history like Sam Houston defending their honor here. That was back in the early 1800s. In April of 1990, the Dueling Grounds racetrack was opened for horse racing betting. The track was constructed on 300 acres at a cost of $12 million. The initial Dueling Grounds had several amenities including a clubhouse, restaurant and many televisions. Originally, the horse track featured steeplechase racing. Finally, in 1992 flat racing came to the track as it was viewed to be more lucrative than a steeplechase card. It offered various stake races like the $300,000 Sam Houston Handicap, the $100,000 Sanford Duncan and the $150,000 Rachael Jackson. In 1993, the Kentucky Racing Commission granted Kentucky Downs a seven-day racing schedule. Track owners decided to take Kentucky Downs public in 1993 and nearly 7.5 million shares of stock were offered. After a bout of legal troubles, majority share in the track was sold to Earl and Rita Sinks. The track continued to have legal and financial issues and it was sold in 1997. The track was bought at auction for $11 million by a group of multiple investors. In November of 1997, the track was renamed to Kentucky Downs. The idea was that by changing the name, the track could shed its poor image of the past. It appears to have worked, because in 1998 the Kentucky Downs began to turn things around. Soon, it held a record meet and conditions began to improve. In 2000, Kentucky Downs decided to bring back steeplechase racing. Soon after the Kentucky Cup at Turfway is now run annually and is a Grade III event. It was the first Kentucky Downs race to be graded. While the start of the Kentucky Downs was filled with tribulations, the future looks bright. The Kentucky Downs is now a great site for horse racing action. 
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