By Brenna Angel
LEXINGTON, Ky. – A program designed to supplement purses at Kentucky horse tracks may not benefit from the Breeders' Cup World Championships when they come to Churchill Downs this fall. The Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund rewards owners and breeders of Kentucky-bred horses who race in their native state.
At a meeting in Lexington Wednesday, members of the KTDF advisory committee learned that in order for Churchill to host the Breeders' Cup, the track is giving up the 15 percent it usually collects on every dollar waged there. Committee member Bill Landes says that means the KTDF won't get a cut of the handle either.
"On Breeder's Cup day they will run seven Breeder's Cup races and then they will run three other races. Of those three other races, some of them will be supplemented by the KTDF. So we're having to put up our money, but we're not getting any income or not enough income back on those posts."
Landes says the KTDF committee has the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission for clarification on rules for contributing to the fund.
An official at Churchill Downs points out, however, that KTDF money will be earned during the Breeders' Cup via inter-track wagering and simulcasting.