Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI) has announced it plans to open Owensboro Racing & Gaming in the first quarter of 2025 with 600 state-of-the-art historical racing machines, a retail sportsbook, simulcast wagering, and multiple food and beverage offerings.
The new property in eastern Daviess County will be CDI’s 7th historical horse racing entertainment venue in the state of Kentucky. Owensboro Racing & Gaming will be located on an approximately 20-acre site at the corner of U.S. 60 and Wrights Landing Road.
According to a release from CDI, “the projected spend for the development of Owensboro Racing & Gaming is $10 million.” The release said the facility is estimated to generate $125 million in annual regional economic impact, including the creation of more than 200 construction jobs and 150 permanent jobs.
The property will operate as an annex of Ellis Park Racing & Gaming (“Ellis Park”) and will support purse funding for Ellis Park’s traditional summer racing meet.
“We are proud to announce this investment in the Kentucky horse racing industry as we celebrate 150 years of the Kentucky Derby,” said Bill Carstanjen, CEO of CDI. “In addition to delivering a premier gaming and entertainment experience to Daviess County, this project will build on the success of Ellis Park’s racing product and further contribute to a healthy and sustainable horse racing circuit in Kentucky.”
CDI’s development plan for the 71,500-square-foot property, officially located at 460 Wrights Landing Road, was approved in January 2023.
Documents show that a significant portion of the building will be dedicated to the gaming floor, which will feature a center bar and a sports bar opposite the smoking section.
Documents show a smoking section will be located on the west side of the building. The smoking section is separated from the main area by a vestibule. The building will also include automatic fire sprinkler and alarm systems.
The blueprints also show room for a potential 150×224 future expansion on the land’s southeast corner.
Parking is expected to include 624 spaces, with 522 dedicated to customers. Customers will be encouraged to enter from Wrights Landing Road.
The blueprints were created by Sosh Architects of Atlantic City. The general contractor for the project is listed as Calhoun Construction of Louisville.
Read our previous in-depth coverage regarding the facility here.
