Lexington’s oldest racetrack is preparing for the new world of sports betting. The Red Mile, a harness racing track established in 1875, is one of nine applicants selected by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission to host sports betting. Gabe Prewitt, the Red Mile’s vice president of racing and sports wagering, said he’s confident the track will be ready by September 7th – which happens to be the first Sunday of the NFL season.
“We're very lucky to be working with a, an organization, our partner Caesars Entertainment, that's, you know, done this many times over. I think, for instance, the gentleman that is designing our sports book, I believe this is about his 180th.”
Prewitt said the sports betting area will be on the remodeled first floor in what used to be the lower clubhouse and that sports betting, like video slots introduced in 2015, will enhance the track’s live racing offerings.
“I expect to, you know, continue to reintroduce ourselves to the community all the way through this process. I mean, you know, the sports wagering demographic is much different than the historical horse race for the most part. So, you know, I think it's going to introduce people to standardbred racing.”
The Red Mile partnered with Keeneland to bring video slots to the track and Prewitt says the two may also work together for sports betting. Live racing begins at the Red Mile July 23rd and runs through October 8th.
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