One of the most wonderful times of the year is now upon us. Like a shooting star, Kentucky Downs is about to light up the Thoroughbred racing sky as their live racing meet begins on August 31 and features six other dates through September 13.

  Nestled just north of the Tennessee state line in Franklin, Kentucky, this grass-only track has become the target for many turf titans in recent years. Why you may wonder do the big boys venture off the beaten path to visit this “country” track just 45 minutes north of Nashville?

The answer is pretty simple…it’s the green stuff. Featuring the highest per-race payouts of any track in the United States, Kentucky Downs will show horsemen the money. Of the 17 Stakes races to be run over these seven days, 11 of those Stakes races are worth at least $1 million and the overall meet will feature $24 million in purse money.

  Of course, the horsemen love it, but so does the speculating public. As the only European-style course in the United States, the unique features of the track can make for fantastic finishes. Full fields and lots of talent mean big payouts for those who guess right. At the 2022 live racing meet, the average payout on the 50-cent pick 5 (wager where a horseplayer picks the winner of 5 consecutive races) was $19,630. The 50-cent pick 4 payouts averaged $4464 and the 10-cent superfecta (top four finishers in one race) winning ticket yielded an average of $571. Those numbers mean this facility provides what playing the ponies can be all about, low risk and high yield.

  First post is at 12:30 on race days with Turf Cup Day on September 9 having a first post of 11:30. Each racing day will feature at least one Stakes race with Turf Cup Day as the centerpiece of the meet. The September 9 card will boast six graded Stakes races all worth at least $1 million with the Turf Sprint and Turf Cup as Breeders’ Cup win and you’re in races.

  The Kentucky Downs racing calendar will boast a plethora of nice payouts while the Mint gaming hall features over 1,000 gaming machines, fine dining, and live entertainment. Is excitement a guarantee at this facility?... As they say at Kentucky Downs…You Bet!