Owensboro, a city in eastern Daviess County, Kentucky, is set to become the home of a new racing and gaming venue in early 2025. The project, announced by Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI), will feature 600 historical racing machines, a retail sportsbook, simulcast wagering, and multiple food and beverage offerings.
CDI’s Seventh Historical Horse Racing Entertainment Venue in Kentucky
The new property, named Owensboro Racing & Gaming, will be CDI’s seventh historical horse racing entertainment venue in the state of Kentucky. Historical horse racing, also known as historical racing machines (HRMs), are electronic gaming devices that allow players to wager on the outcomes of previously run horse races.
Owensboro Racing & Gaming will be located on an approximately 20-acre site at the corner of US Highway 60 and Wrights Landing Road east of the City of Owensboro. The projected spend for the development of Owensboro Racing & Gaming is $100 million.
An Annex of Ellis Park Racing & Gaming
Owensboro Racing & Gaming will operate as an annex of Ellis Park Racing & Gaming, another CDI-owned property in Henderson, Kentucky. Ellis Park is a thoroughbred racetrack that hosts a traditional summer racing meet from July to September.
Owensboro Racing & Gaming will support purse funding for Ellis Park’s racing product, which means that a portion of the revenue generated by the HRMs will go towards increasing the prize money for the horse owners, trainers, and jockeys. This will help attract more quality horses and enhance the competitiveness of the races.
A Premier Gaming and Entertainment Experience for Daviess County
CDI’s CEO, Bill Carstanjen, expressed his pride in announcing the investment in the Kentucky horse racing industry, especially as the company celebrates 150 years of the Kentucky Derby, its most iconic and enduring asset.
“In addition to delivering a premier gaming and entertainment experience to Daviess County, this project will build on the success of Ellis Park’s racing product and further contribute to a healthy and sustainable horse racing circuit in Kentucky,” Carstanjen said.
Owensboro Racing & Gaming is estimated to generate $125 million in annual regional economic impact, including the creation of more than 200 construction jobs and 150 permanent jobs. The property will also offer a retail sportsbook, where patrons can place bets on various sports events, as well as simulcast wagering, where they can watch and wager on live horse races from other tracks across the country.
The property will also feature multiple food and beverage offerings, such as a sports bar, a casual dining restaurant, a coffee shop, and a grab-and-go outlet. The design of the venue will reflect the local culture and history of Owensboro and Daviess County, as well as the heritage and legacy of the Kentucky Derby.
