OAK GROVE, Kent. (WTVF) — A new horse racing venue will be opening in Oak Grove, Kentucky.
Churchill Downs Incorporated and the Keeneland Association, broke ground on Tuesday on a $150 million, state-of-the-art, live and historical horse racing venue.
What will be called Oak Grove Racing & Gaming, will be built in two overlapping phases.
The first phase will be the development and construction of a harness race course, a stable facility, and a race-day paddock stable facility. This phase is scheduled to be completed by the time of the first inaugural live race in October 2019.
The second phase which is set to open in the first half of 2020 will feature the following: 1,500 horse racing machines, a hotel, a grandstand that will seat 1,200, an event space for indoor events, a 3,000-person capacity outdoor amphitheater and stage, an equestrian center with indoor and outdoor arenas and a 30 pad RV park.
“Horse racing is an integral part of Kentucky’s history and culture, and Churchill Downs is thrilled to further invest in our state’s signature industry through Oak Grove Racing & Gaming,” Churchill Downs Racetrack President Kevin Flanery said. “We have seen the tremendous impact Derby City Gaming in Louisville has already had on both the racing industry and local community, and we expect the same degree of success here in Christian County."
This will be the only venue of its kind in Kentucky.
Additionally, the facility is expected to create almost 400 direct full- and part-time positions, along with approximately 800 construction jobs.
