Kentucky Downs Raising Minimum WPS Bets to $5

Kentucky Downs is raising the minimum bet for win, place, and show wagers from $2 to $5 for this year's meet. The change was first reported by Horse Racing Nation. Attempts for comments from the Franklin, Ky., track were unsuccessful. Horse Racing Nation noted that Kentucky Downs is also "reducing the takeout on Pick 3, 4 and 5 wagers to 15% and introducing a $3 late Pick 3." Additionally, there "will be a $5 late double and a $5 minimum on exactas in the last race." The report said that the takeout for the exacta will remain at 19.25% while the rates for trifecta, superfecta, super Hi 5, double, and Pick 6 wagers "remain" at 20%. The track will hold seven race days between Aug. 29 and Sept. 9, offering a total purse of $37 million. This year's slate features several high-stakes and graded races, including the U.S. Open of Turf Championships over Labor Day Weekend, which includes the Nashville Derby, two Breeders' Cup Challenge Series "Win and You're In" races—the Sept. 5 Kentucky Turf Sprint Stakes (G2T) and Kentucky Turf Cup Invitational Stakes (G2T)—and many other million-dollar races. The Nashville Derby's $3 million purse is the second largest in the U.S.