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[Nitro]

Once again the negativity on the PA forum comes to light which as far as I’m concerned is so far off from the general consensus it’s ridiculous!
Perhaps a few words from an outside source will offer some enlightenment to the sceptics.
https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-rac...kentucky-downs

Kentucky Downs, which features low takeout compared with other tracks, smashed its handle record for the sixth straight year, with a total of $36,421,722 wagered on the five-date meet.

All-sources betting of $7,021,553 Sept. 13 was a record for the closing card.

The meet total tops by 20% last year's $30,246,888. The betting record Kentucky Downs set in 2013 was $12,814,891 and this year's handle is number nearly 2 1/2 times that figure.
Kentucky Downs registered its highest betting day ever this year when $10,039,008 was wagered on Saturday, Sept. 8. It also recorded its third-highest ever when $7,313,857 was bet Sept. 12 on the card postponed from Sunday after significant rain hit the region.

Kentucky Downs doesn't charge admission, but the eyeball test suggested crowds were the highest ever. For the first time, the Finish Line Pavilion—expanded and upgraded from when it was the Finish Line Tent—sold out all five days, including the two Thursday cards.

"The meet was fabulous on just about all fronts," said Ted Nicholson, senior vice president and general manager of Kentucky Downs. "Even the negative from having to cancel this past Sunday because of the downpour soaking the area turned into a great day of racing on Wednesday. Every year we go back to the drawing board and try to figure out how we can do better, how can we accommodate even more of our guests, especially from out of town. This year it was the Finish Line Pavilion. Who knows what it will be next year? Clearly there is high demand for open-air dining near the finish line. It's a great problem to have.

"We have twin missions that we take very seriously: to take care of our on-track guests who create our unique atmosphere and also those wagering on our races through simulcast and online outlets. Obviously the majority of our handle of $36 million was bet offsite. It's a testament to all those horseplayers who love outstanding turf racing, full fields and great betting value with our low takeout on wagers. We're excited to see what 2019 will bring."

A record $10,233,665.60 was paid out to horsemen in purses and Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund monies, up from the then-record $8,625,396 last year.
Kentucky Downs figures to retain its leadership for having America's largest fields at 11.04 horses per race this meet with 552 starters for 50 races, up from last year's nation-leading 10.44 per race. The previous record was the 10.96 horses per race in 2016…..

Kentucky Downs by the numbers (from the track)
All Sources Handle 2018
Day 1: $6,205,874
Day 2: $5,825,797
Day 3: $10,039,008*
Day 4: $7,329,490***
Day 5: $7,021,553

2018 TOTAL: $36,421,722 (all-time record)
* Highest in track history
*** Third-highest in track history
All Sources Handle 2017
Day 1: $4,633,176.29
Day 2: $5,402,254.66
Day 3: $8,487,323.27**
Day 4: $6,044,717.15
Day 5: $5,679,416.31

2017 TOTAL: $30,246,888
** second-highest in track history
All Sources Handle 2016
Day 1: $4,603,239.82
Day 2: $4,019,637.14
Day 3: $5,769,505.23
Day 4: $4,487,790.40
Day 5 $3,660,588.63
2016 TOTAL: $22,540,761.22

Betting on Kentucky Downs since 2012
Year (dates) all-sources total
2018 (5) $36,421,722
2017 (5) $30,246,888
2016 (5) $22,540,764
2015 (5) $16,887,134
2014 (5) $15,880,755
2013 (5) $12,814,891
2012 (5) $7,570,731

Average field sizes since 2011
2018: 11.04 horses per race (552 starters in 50 races, a record)
2017: 10.44
2016: 10.96
2015: 10.60
2014: 10.20
2013: 9.90
2012: 9.57
2011: 8.76