By Devin Katayama
Louisville, KY –
A Kentucky Horse Racing commissioner is challenging racetracks to be more innovative in order to compete with surrounding states for business.Race tracks have proposed 2012 schedules, and some tracks are cutting the number of racing days.
Commissioner Tom Ludt says Kentucky tracks should shake up operations. Thunder Ridge in Prestonburg has requested cutting race days off the schedule because it can't afford to stay open. Ludt says tracks should try more innovative options like nighttime racing. Churchill Down's Darren Rogers says night races have tripled attendance and doubled wages:
"We do not just offer up racing under the lights this is not an experience that is just about flipping a switch and it being dark out and racing."
Rogers says Churchill Downs is changing night racing dates from Fridays to Saturdays in 2012. And he hopes it'll get people to the track earlier. Rogers says the track is no longer just about racing. Churchill Downs now includes music and other entertainment, and Rogers says now it'll sell the experience.