Horse-racing track proposed for Oak Grove, Kentucky

OAK GROVE, Ky. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Churchill Downs Incorporated and Keeneland Association, Inc. announced today an historic partnership to propose the construction of two new state-of-the-art racing facilities.

One will be in southeastern Kentucky in Corbin (Knox County), and the second will be in southwestern Kentucky in Oak Grove (Christian County). The proposed facilities will feature live horse racing and historical racing machines for guests from Kentucky and beyond.

Churchill Downs and Keeneland are working closely with the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet and other state and local officials on a number of incentives and necessary infrastructure improvements to bring the Corbin and Oak Grove facilities to fruition.

“We are proud of the significant investment Churchill Downs and Keeneland are committed to making in our community, and are excited to see the infusion of tourism, economic development and new jobs it will bring to Oak Grove and Christian County,” Oak Grove Mayor Bea Burt said.

Each facility is contingent on receipt of an initial pari-mutuel racing license by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, and Churchill Downs and Keeneland are filing their applications with the commission today.

“Churchill Downs and Keeneland have the support of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association as they move forward with their plans to bring two new racing facilities to our state,” Kentucky Thoroughbred Association Executive Director Chauncey Morris said. “The proposed facilities will benefit our industry and the Commonwealth as a whole through new jobs, greater revenues and more tourism.”

Kentucky Downs did not respond favorably to the news. The president, Corey Johnson, issued the following:

““We are disappointed at the announcement of Churchill Downs and Keeneland’s plans to pursue a racetrack license in Oak Grove. Nashville is the primary market for Kentucky Downs. A track a short drive away in Oak Grove would provide undue competition to Kentucky Downs’ already-established and successful historical horse racing, simulcasting and live-racing operations.

“It makes no sense to put a new track in an existing track’s market. We would never consider applying for a racetrack license in close proximity to Louisville or Lexington, such as Elizabethtown or Georgetown.”