Kentucky

An Even Better Kentucky Downs Meet Awaits

Published

1 year ago

August 28, 2024

An Even Better Kentucky Downs Meet Awaits

The 2024 Kentucky Downs meet promises to be the track’s best yet. Flush with even more purse money than ever before thanks to historical horse racing legislation and the nearby Mint Gaming Hall, Kentucky Downs is on course to host the one of the most lucrative race meets in North American history.

WATCH: KENTUCKY DOWNS MEET PREVIEW

This year, a record $37 million in purses could be paid out over the seven-day all-turf meet. The Franklin, Ky., track will hold 19 stakes, nine of them graded, across the European-style turf course.

“My expectations are the same every year for this meet,” said Kentucky Downs vice president for racing Ted Nicholson. “You plan for 48-50 weeks out of the year and it happens, you blink, and it’s over. But we’re excited. The purses are even higher than the purses last year and we feel like we’re going to attract some bigger and better horses. We have some horses coming to compete from Europe.”

For the first time in the track’s 33 years of operation, Kentucky Downs will stage its first grade 1 event, the $1 million Franklin-Simpson Stakes (G1T) for 3-year-olds going 6 1/2 furlongs. The Franklin-Simpson is the sole grade 1 race in the country for sophomores sprinting on the turf. Although the race is not part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series, Kentucky Downs will pay the entry fees for the winner should they compete in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1T) at Del Mar this fall.

“We’re excited to put together a grade 1 race but we’re not resting on that,” Nicholson said. “We’re working very hard to make sure our grade 2s get elevated to grade 1 status after this year and some of the 3s could even get a double jump or single jump. We’re focusing on bettering all of our stakes for when the Graded Stakes Committee meets again in December.”

Two of those grade 2s, the lucrative Kentucky Turf Cup (G2T) and the Ainsworth Turf Sprint (G2T) serve as Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series qualifying races for the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1T) and Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, respectively. Both contests will take place Sept. 7 on a race card that is the second-richest in the country surpassed only by the Breeders’ Cup Championships. Race purses Sept. 7 are equivalent to $13 million.

While the Kentucky Downs races act as a platform for registered Kentucky-bred horses, with $15 million on the table in purses from the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund for which horses bred out of state are ineligible, Nicholson said there will be an influx of European contenders arriving for this year’s meet.

Nicholson credited the hire of Martin Panza, co-director of racing operations at Kentucky Downs, for the heightened interest from Europe.

“(Panza) has really helped us attract the Europeans to come to our meet,” Nicholson said. “We’ve given them their own barn. It’s like an isolation barn for them. A lot of horses will come through from Churchill Downs where they’ve done their quarantine so it works out pretty well.”

Among the European horses scheduled to compete at Kentucky Downs include the Charlie Hills-trained pair of Ancient Rome , back to defend his title in the Mint Millions Stakes (G3T), and Khaadem , a two-time winner of the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot.

Kentucky Downs is a unique track in that it provides a country fair-like atmosphere for its guests. The relaxed, family-friendly environment buries the divide between horsemen, owners, and fans and makes for a memorable day at the races. Nicholson noted that management has made several capital improvements ahead of opening day, including a new pavilion behind the finish line, a suite available for purchase by the eighth pole, and a newly asphalted parking lot off Highway 31W.

A card of 11 races with an average field size of 11.5 kicks off opening day of the meet Aug. 29. The highlight of the card is the $500,000 Tapit Stakes, contested over one mile and 70 yards for horses aged 3 years and up who have not won a sweepstakes in 2024. Contenders for the Tapit include 2023 Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational Stakes (G1T) winner Atone and the 1-2 finishers in last year’s race, Harlan Estate and English Bee .

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Kentucky

Kentucky Basketball defeats Bellarmine: 3 things to know and postgame cheers

Published

10 hours ago

December 23, 2025

Press Room

Kentucky Basketball defeats Bellarmine: 3 things to know and postgame cheers

The Kentucky Wildcats will head off into the Christmas break on a winning streak after defeating Bellarmine by a final score of 99-85.

In a game Kentucky was favored to win by 35.5 points, the Knights came out strong and stayed within striking distance much of the way.

Thankfully, big days by Kam Williams (26 points) and Mo Dioubate (20) helped the Cats get to the finish line for win No. 9.

Otega Oweh flirted with a triple-double, going for 10 points, 10 assists, and eight boards.

Jaland Lowe sat out this game as Kentucky manages his shoulder injury, while Jayden Quaintance played just eight minutes as he continues to improve his conditioning following a nine-month layoff from ACL surgery.

Here’s what you need to know from Kentucky’s final game of 2025.

Kam Williams stole the show

Kentucky may have beaten Bellarmine by 14, but this game didn’t start like a runaway. It started like exactly what it was: a 1 p.m. Tuesday tip right before Christmas, with Kentucky taking a while to find its legs.

If you’re naming an MVP, it’s Kam Williams, no debate.

He buried 8 of his 10 3s and finished with 26 points, giving Kentucky the exact kind of perimeter punch that changes how defenses have to play them. Kentucky has been searching for a dependable shooter to emerge, and this was the loudest answer they’ve had in a while.

Bellarmine never let Kentucky run away

Kentucky led 46-38 at halftime, but Bellarmine made it work early by shooting well and living at the line.

Bellarmine shot 52% in the first half and went 10-for-10 on free throws. Kentucky shot even better (55%) and hit 7 threes, but the Knights were annoying in the way you don’t want a midweek opponent to be.

They cut it to three late in the half, and you could feel the “are we really doing this today?” vibe for a moment.

Thankfully, Kentucky flipped the game with a much better second-half start.

The Cats came out of the locker room sharper, built the lead to 74-56 with just over 10 minutes left, and basically removed the drama, though the Knights would stay within 12-14 points down the stretch as both teams traded score for score.

Balance shows up with 10 scorers

Kentucky had 10 different players score, which is an underrated reason the second half never got weird again. Brandon Garrison is the only player who played for the Cats who didn’t score, and he didn’t attempt a shot.

On days when the start is sluggish, balance keeps you from pressing. It also keeps your rotation engaged, which matters heading into a stretch where Kentucky is going to need everyone ready to contribute.

Bellarmine deserves credit for hanging around early, including 14 first-half points from Jack Karasinski, but Kentucky’s shooting punch and depth eventually made the gap feel inevitable even though Karasinski finished with 24.

Kentucky didn’t play a perfect game. It played a winning one. And when Kam Williams shoots like that, it’s a lot easier to look like yourself.

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Drew Holbrook has been covering the Cats for over 10 years. In his free time he enjoys downtime with his family and Premier League soccer. You can find him on X here. Micah 7:7. #UptheAlbion

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Kentucky

Is Kentucky basketball looking for a mid-year addition at backup point guard?

Published

22 hours ago

December 23, 2025

Press Room

Is Kentucky basketball looking for a mid-year addition at backup point guard?

It’s clear that this Kentucky team relies very heavily on its starting point guard, Jaland Lowe. It has been evident that when he’s out, Kentucky struggles to create any offense, but when he’s in, it couldn’t flow any smoother. A big part of that is the fact that the Wildcats don’t really have a backup point guard. Denzel Aberdeen isn’t really a true point guard, and Jasper Johnson has flashy moments through a bunch of struggles as a young freshmen. But, it all comes down to Lowe’s health, who could go out any second with his shoulder injury.

We’ve already seen it multiple times this season, in the last two games specifically. Lowe went out against Indiana during the first half, playing just 9 minutes before following it up with a 16-minute second half, when the Wildcats rallied down the stretch. Then, Saturday against Rick Pitino and St. John’s, Lowe hurt his shoulder again just seven seconds after checking into the game. He then returned early in the second half before his team rallied yet again. He’s a difference-maker, clearly, but is Mark Pope interested in adding a mid-year player through the transfer portal to back him up in case things go south? He addressed those swirling rumors on his radio show Monday night.

First of all, Pope fully expects Lowe to remain healthy, or at least continue playing through the pain. “I have every expectation Jaland is going to be with us the whole season,” Pope said. As far as a mid-year addition goes as a backup for Lowe, Pope has the utmost confidence in his guys to get it done, in particular Denzel Aberdeen and Jasper Johnson, who he says are getting more and more comfortable at that position. “We have a great roster. I’m not sure we’re shopping a lot right now,” Pope said when asked about a possible addition to the roster. “We have an unbelievable amount of faith in our guys, first of all, with Jaland. Jasper is going to grow into a starring role. He’s been so good. D.A. is becoming more and more and more comfortable becoming a full-time point, but also being on the move at the two. …I think we have an incredible, incredible run ahead of us. That’s what we’re thinking about with this roster right now.”

Well, there you have it. Mark Pope is comfortable with guys he has. He likely doesn’t want to also take the chance of interrupting the team chemistry either, especially right now as Kentucky is coming off back-to-back wins over quality opponents and as soon as they’ve gotten healthy.

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Kentucky

Midwest Equipment Manufacturing invests $15M in Northern Kentucky, creating 66 jobs

Published

2 days ago

December 22, 2025

Press Room

Midwest Equipment Manufacturing invests M in Northern Kentucky, creating 66 jobs

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WKRC) – Governor Andy Beshear announced a major expansion of Kentucky’s manufacturing sector as Midwest Equipment Manufacturing Inc. plans to invest $15 million to expand operations in Maysville, creating 66 skilled jobs.

“Kentucky’s thriving manufacturing sector has been an important component in our state’s recent economic momentum,” Beshear said. “We continue to see leaders in the manufacturing sector invest in the commonwealth and our communities, providing good-paying, quality job opportunities for Kentuckians, and this includes 66 new jobs being created by Midwest Equipment Manufacturing. I want to thank the company’s leaders for relocating and investing in Mason County, and I look forward to seeing their success in our New Kentucky Home.”

The project will transform the company’s Maysville facility into a new manufacturing hub, helping address labor shortages and production backlogs. Several key product lines, including the Tru-Cut Mower and the 500 Series Brown Bear Composter, will be relocated from Thorntown, Indiana, to Maysville.

Dan Kallevig, president of Tru-Cut Mowers, said the company is enthusiastic about the move. “I have been to Maysville a few times in the past few months, and I am very impressed with the kindness of the people I have met.”

“As part of the ongoing renaissance of residential and commercial activity in the city’s east end neighborhood, the city of Maysville is pleased to express its full support for the relocation of Midwest Equipment Manufacturing to Maysville. We remain committed to sustaining the positive momentum within our community and are excited to not only retain 16 valuable manufacturing jobs in our city but also welcome the creation of an additional 66 positions through Midwest Equipment Manufacturing’s expansion,” said Maysville Mayor Debra L. Cotterill.

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