Churchill Downs Expands Kentucky Footprint with New HHR Venue Amidst Safety Concerns
The Kentucky-based Churchill Downs Incorporated is broadening its reach within the state. The company recently acquired property in Daviess County, near Owensboro, with the intention of constructing a historical horse racing (HHR) establishment. This new location will complement their current Ellis Park Racing & Gaming venue in Henderson, Kentucky, providing financial backing for live racing at Ellis Park.
In September 2022, Churchill Downs purchased Ellis Park, a storied track boasting over a century of racing heritage, for $79 million. The track, recognized as the summer destination for thoroughbred racing in Kentucky, presently houses approximately 300 HHR machines.
Churchill Downs will soon unveil further information regarding the Daviess County site, encompassing development blueprints and investment amounts.
This news follows Churchill Downs’ choice to briefly halt live racing at its namesake track in Louisville. The racing schedule from June 7th to July 3rd has been transferred to Ellis Park.
In the previous month, a series of heartbreaking equine fatalities at Churchill Downs sent ripples of concern throughout the horse racing world. The unsettling quantity of losses, reaching a total of twelve, has ignited significant worry regarding the track’s safety standards. Further intensifying the situation, Churchill Downs and their wagering collaborator, TwinSpires, disclosed information about betting activity during the May races, prompting many to ponder whether a correlation exists between wagering and the welfare of these animals.
