Cumberland Run, Kentucky’s newest harness racing track – the third in the state -- held its grand opening Sunday, and despite the weather in Corbin, officials say turnout was good. Corbin is part of three counties, and one of the VIPs for the ribbon-cutting ceremony was Knox County Judge-Executive Mike Mitchell. He said the atmosphere was great.
“This is a historical thing for, well, all of eastern Kentucky, but especially Corbin, Knox County, this is the first time that there's been anything like racing in this area.”
In harness racing, the rider sits in a sulky pulled by a horse, and each race is a mile and features either trotters or pacers. Ten races were run at Cumberland Run Sunday. Mitchell said the track will have a positive economic impact on the tri-county area.
“I think that this is going to have a positive, positive revenue impact for our region. And we're very optimistic about it. It was an immaculate facility that that they put together.”
Mitchell said local leaders have been working on the project for more than a decade. It was made possible a few years ago, when the General Assembly pushed through legislation allowing video slot machines. Cumberland Run is part of Corbin’s Mint Gaming complex.
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