Kentucky Downs holds what is called a boutique meet, running only seven days a year. It also boasts some of the highest purses in America. How? Well, The Mint Gaming Hall – a racino – has a whole lot to do with it. As Chris Larmey, a prominent horseplayer, put it (in Horse Racing Nation): “They got their slot subsidies, and they started swimming in cash, and they have these ridiculous purses.”
So, when you’re “swimming in [free] cash,” which both creates “ridiculous purses” and allows you to pay first-last, abuse – beyond the norm, that is – follows. Here are just the 20+ lengths-back finishes from Sunday (there were plenty more other double-digits) and the “winnings” of the exploiters.
race 1: Saturday Starter, 22 lengths back; exploiters took home $1,200.
race 2: Unregretted, 21.5 lengths back; exploiters took home $1,200.
race 2: Beautiful Mandate, 22 lengths back; exploiters took home $1,200.
race 4: Route Runner, 20.25 lengths back; exploiters took home $1,214.
race 4: Single Ruler, 21.75 lengths back; exploiters took home $1,214.
race 5: Anna’s Wish, 31.5 lengths back; exploiters took home $1,200.
race 7: Surface to Air, 21.5 lengths back; exploiters took home $1,200.
race 7: Augustus Blue, 25 lengths back; exploiters took home $1,200.
race 7: Go Cats, 26.75 lengths back; exploiters took home $1,200.
race 7: Missionaire, 34.25 lengths back; exploiters took home $1,200.
race 8: Tamara’s Way, 30 lengths back; exploiters took home $1,087.
race 10: Selenaia, 30.75 lengths back; exploiters took home $6,000.
And the best (worst) for last…
race 8: Sicilian Grandma, 60.5 lengths back; exploiters took home $1,087.
race 7: Ridgerunner, 91.75 lengths back; exploiters took home $1,200.
Vile. Horseracing.
This is just terrible! Some of those poor horses were probably just entering the back stretch as the others in the field were crossing the finish line! All these subsidies need to be eliminated & those casino $$ be used for better health care & education of the people of Kentucky.
They’re “swimming in cash” and since they are also completely void of empathy for the horses, they squander the cash on Animal Cruelty. They all should be arrested for VIOLATING Animal Welfare Codes. Their priorities are seriously messed up.
disgusting. Maybe instead of win place and show, they should be betting on last and slowest to second from last, etc. etc. all the way to first; that way slowing down the race, and sparing the horses.