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On the heels of the recent purchase of majority ownership in Kentucky Downs racetrack by a partnership of Texas investors led by former Lone Star Park president Corey Johnsen and investment banker Ray Reid, Bloodhorse.com is proud to welcome Mr. Johnsen as our guest on a special Friday edition of Talkin' Horses.
Kentucky Downs, located near the Tennessee border in Franklin, Ky., is the only European-style course in the United States. The track offers a menu of turf races run over a mile and five-sixteenths oval--a tradition that continues with next month's six-day fall meet. Running from Sept. 15-25, the event is highlighted by the $500,000 Kentucky Cup Turf Festival Sept. 22, whose four stakes races include the $200,000 Kentucky Cup Turf (gr. IIIT).
Johnsen is a former president of Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie. He and Reid are also Thoroughbred owners and breeders with horses in training in Kentucky, New York, and Florida, as well as Argentina and Uruguay. Johnsen, who has been named president of Kentucky Downs, and Reid are overseeing the ownership transition and expect the current staff to remain in place under the new management. The new owners also promise that Kentucky Downs fans will notice a number of updates in the colonial style clubhouse when the track reopens next month, including an expanded video system and more modern televisions.
"Right now, our crew is working diligently, and we are sparing no expense to ensure our turf course is in top condition," Johnsen commented recently. "The foundation of any race meeting is the track surface." | 