It has been reported that a lightning strike at a racetrack shocked several spectators on Wednesday, September 11.
According to an article on courier-journal.com, thoroughbred raceway Kentucky Downs was forced to cancel its program of live racing after Race 4.
The report states that an isolated storm was the cause of a lightning strike which hit a tin tent support. The strike led to a small number of racegoers that were in the picnic area being shocked. The article has cited the track’s general manager, Nick Hughes, as saying that one spectator had to taken to hospital.
Kentucky Downs is currently running a short, five-day meet with very lucrative purses thanks to the addition of ‘instant racing’ machines operating at the track. The courier-journal.com article explains that the track will be requesting to run additional races on the final two days of its meet to make up for the races that had to be cancelled on Wednesday.
In another report by courier-journal.com, the publication does a small question-and-answer piece with the track’s president, Corey Johnsen, who explains how the instant racing machines have given the raceway a huge boost.
Courtesy of the instant racing terminals, Kentucky Downs has been able to offer owners and trainers robust purses, which has led to large fields and excitement for serious punters.
Owners and trainers have seen maiden races during Kentucky Downs’ current meet feature $90,000 purses and $900,000 in purses set out for race days.
(With files from courier-journal.com)