After over a quarter-century absence, harness racing may return to Louisville, Ky. in the near future — at least temporarily.
According to a report from Louisville Business First, Churchill Downs Inc., in partnership with the Keeneland Association, have requested a 10-day Standardbred meet on the grounds of the former Louisville Downs, which last held harness racing in 1991 and now is home to Derby City Gaming, a historical racing facility due to open in the fall.
"We're trying to move quick on this so we don't see these industries move out of our state," said Kevin Flanery, president of Churchill Downs.
The return of harness racing to Louisville is intended to bridge a gap between the closure of Thunder Ridge Raceway in Prestonsburg, Ky. and the 2020 opening of a new track that the Churchill/Keeneland partnership plans to build in Oak Grove, Ky., located on Interstate 24 just over the Tennessee state line and a one-hour drive from Nashville.