Turfway Park
🇺🇸 KENTUCKY
Racing at Turfway Park
About Turfway Park
In the racing heartland that is Kentucky stands Turfway Park, situated just on the city limits of Florence, right at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport and less than 11 miles from the center of Cincinnati.The track’s two live thoroughbred meets are split into Holiday (December) and Winter/Spring (details above) though the facility offers live simulcast racing all year round from all across North America, bettors welcomed into the track facility every day.
Back in 2009, the now well recognised Horseplayers Association of North America introduced their ranking system for thoroughbred racetracks around the continent, Turfway in 2016 reaching number 11 on the ratings.
Famous Kentucky Derby racecaller Mike Battaglia is the caller at Turfway Park as well as other venues in the state and can be heard regularly on TVG.
Turfway Park History
The track opened up in Florence, Kentucky, way back in 1959 but was then named Latonia Race Course. The original Latonia, open from 1883 to 1939, hosted the Latonia Derby which at the time rivalled the now infamous Kentucky Derby. Turfway Park became the new name in 1986 upon the track’s change of ownership.The track was sold again in 1999 to a combination of Gtech (lottery equipment), Harrah’s Entertainment (owner of several racinos) and the not for profit Keeneland Association (operators of Lexington race track).
Up until 2011 Turfway Park hosted the Kentucky Day of Champions, a prep meeting for the Breeders’ Cup Championships in November. The meet included five stakes races (four graded) including the Grade 2 Kentucky Cup Classic run a month before the Breeders’ Cup.
In terms of business interests, Turfway purchased and still retains a share in Kentucky Downs race track (formerly the Dueling Grounds) and has been willing to think outside the box in terms of their racing surface too.
Rather than sticking with traditional dirt, in 2005 Turfway became the first North American track to install Polytrack, an “all-weather” synthetic surface developed in the UK. This surface eliminates weather problems pretty much meaning that Turfway’s going is always listed as “fast” regardless of weather.
In 2012, ownership of Turfway changed slightly again with Keeneland’s stake being bought by Rock Gaming, then changing its name to JACK Entertainment with the integrity of the track not compromised.
Turfway Park Track Details
There is no turf track at Turfway Park, ironically, however the dirk track is a one-mile oval made up of the synthetic surface Polytrack and featuring quarter-mile and 6½ furlong chutes and a 970 feet home stretch with stabling on site for 1,000 horses.
Biggest Races
Jeff Ruby Steaks (Stakes) (Grade 3) – one 1/8 miles, three-year-olds (March).Bourbonette Oaks (Grade 3) – one mile, three-year-old fillies (March).
Bet On Turfway Races Here With TVG!
Now you know all about Turfway Park, don’t forget you can wager on races there with TVG. Head to our schedules page to check out the latest race times then bet and watch live!
Address
7500 Turfway Rd, Florence, KY 41042, USA