Page 22 - September 2022

TRACK CHATTER
THE MONTH IN REVIEW
by Jennifer K. Hancock
KENTUCKY AWARDS LICENSE FOR QUARTER HORSE TRACK
In July, the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission awarded its ninth and final license to a new facility with plans to re-introduce Quarter Horse racing to the Bluegrass state. Revolutionary Racing will build in Ashland, Kentucky, and feature an American Quarter Horse track and an historical horse racing facility.
“We are excited to have Quarter Horse racing back in Kentucky. This project invests $55 million and creates 200 jobs in the northeast corner of our commonwealth,” said Governor Andy Beshear. “Bringing Quarter Horse racing back to Kentucky
is an exciting opportunity to honor a lost Kentucky tradition and contribute to the state’s economy.”
Quarter Horse racing has deep roots in Kentucky, with a history dating back to the earliest days of Daniel Boone’s “Kentucky Territory.” An historical marker near Lexington indicates that in 1780, pioneers established
the starting point of the first race path which extends southward one quarter mile. In 1988, there were two race tracks with Quarter Horse racing. It has been three decades since Quarter Horse racing took place in Kentucky.
Revolutionary Racing, with principals Lawrence Lucas and Prentice Salter, obtained the last available racing license in Kentucky. The application included a request to build
a Quarter Horse race track in Boyd County. Phase one includes construction of the sprint track, historical horse racing facility, paddock with offices and walking ring, two racing barns with 88 stalls each, a test barn and parking. The construction project is expected to be completed in 2024.
“This is an exciting time for Quarter Horse racing owners and fans and for Ashland and the surrounding communities, an underserved market in the equine industry,” said Beshear.
“We have all rallied behind this project
because we understand what it will mean for our community – from jobs to tax revenues to quality of life,” Boyd County Judge Executive Eric Chaney said. “Revolutionary Racing has been a true partner with us throughout this process and we look forward to them being part of our community for many years to come.”
In support of the license, Joe Costa, president and CEO of Lexington Trots Breeders Association LLC and the Red Mile, wrote in a letter to the commission, “While the growth of standardbred racing is paramount
to Red Mile, it wholeheartedly supports the re-introduction of Quarter Horse racing to the commonwealth and looks forward to working together with Revolutionary Racing in the future to the benefit of both breeds of horses.”
According to the Kentucky Quarter Horse Association, there were 30,000 registered Quarter Horses in Kentucky in 2021 owned by more than 10,000 residents. In 2021,
The Kentucky House of Representatives passed a resolution in support of the Quarter Horse industry in the commonwealth, recommending that at least one race track license be awarded or held explicitly for Quarter Horse sprint racing.
RUIDOSO HOSTS AQHA DAY
Ruidoso Downs hosted “AQHA Day at the Races” on Aug. 27. The versatility of the American Quarter Horse was on display with demonstrations such as barrel racing, jumping, reining and roping in between
the races, which included the John Deere Ruidoso Juvenile Challenge-G3, Adequan® Ruidoso Derby Challenge and Q-Racing Video Distaff Challenge.
AQHA members received a free ticket to the Turf Club including lunch with a reservation. In between races, different demonstrations
were held. Much like the people who developed it, the Quarter Horse is hard-working, willing
and versatile, which is part of what makes it the most popular horse breed on earth. The events being demonstrated are common jobs open to former racehorses once they retire from racing.
Among the riders who were scheduled to provide demonstrations were New Mexico western performance trainer Josh Armstrong; Madison Gay Giles, who planned a jumping demonstration; and retired jockeys G.R. Carter Jr. and Casey Lambert, who partnered for a team roping demonstration.
LOUISIANA DOWNS TO HOST CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT
Louisiana Downs will host its annual Charity Golf Tournament at Northwood Hills Golf Club in Shreveport, Louisiana, on Sept. 15. The event will benefit The Winner’s Circle Church and Chaplain Jimmy Sistrunk for his many programs to assist the Louisiana Downs racing community and backstretch workers.
The Four Person Scramble will tee off at 10:30 a.m. The fee is $80 per person or $320 for a four-person team. The fee includes green fees, golf cart, lunch, and t-shirt/cap. Trophies will be presented to the first, second and third- place teams.
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