THE RED MILE

By: Tom Ferry

More than 140 years of warm summer nights and crisp autumn afternoons have come and gone. So much has changed at this legendary racetrack on the outskirts of downtown Lexington, Kentucky.

One thing has not, however, and you will notice it as soon as you walk through the gates. It is the color of the clay dirt across the one mile surface. It is unmistakably — red.

And, thus, The Red Mile.

Since it opened on September 28, 1875, the second-oldest harness racing track in America - and perhaps the sport’s most hallowed venue - has a history that is second to none. Dan Patch. Greyhound. Niatross. When asked who is the greatest horse to ever pull a sulky, you can’t go wrong with any of these three. During a period ranging from 1905 to 1980, each graced the track with their presence and set world records at Red Mile.

Today, The Red Mile is alive and well with a live race meet that runs each year from late July through early October. A significant part of the track’s past and present is the Grand Circuit, the premier harness racing attraction in America.

Begun in 1871, the “Circuit” is a series of racing events for two-year-old and three-year-old trotters and pacers held at nearly 20 different tracks annually. The Circuit comes to the Red Mile during the final two weeks of the meet and is highlighted by the oldest classic race in the world of harness racing, the Kentucky Futurity, the third jewel in the Trotting Triple Crown. The sport’s elite also compete during this time in prominent races at the track including the Tattersalls Pace, the Kentucky Filly Futurity and the International Stallion Stakes, among others.

Since 1880, the gateway to The Red Mile has been the Standardbred Stable of Memories, once known as Floral Hall. One of harness racing’s iconic symbols, this octagonal, brick barn continues to sit on the grounds of the racetrack, and was originally built as an exhibition hall for floral displays. In the early part of the 20th Century, the “Round Barn” was used for stabling horses and greats such as Greyhound, Wing Commander and Hanover’s Bertha. Today, it is used for wedding receptions and numerous other special events and is filled with artifacts from the track’s history. This treasured landmark is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Much like the Round Barn, the track’s backside stirs echoes of The Red Mile’s past. The rustic, aged appeal of many of the stables gives one a nostalgic look at yesteryear. The racetrack is set against the backdrop of Lexington’s scenic downtown skyline. The neighborhood surrounding the Red Mile has seen a resurgence in recent years, and this has led to the development of new restaurants, bars, university student housing, office buildings, and biking and jogging trails. As an increasing number of residents continue to come to the area, it is hoped they stop by the track and - ultimately - become new fans.

If racetracks are to survive in today’s age of multiple entertainment options, they must continually evolve and reinvent.

In 2015, a joint venture between Red Mile and the Keeneland Association resulted in a $42 million, 60,000-square foot renovation and expansion that included the addition of a new café, restaurant, bar, expanded simulcast racing areas and 900 historical horse racing terminals at Red Mile. Historical racing (also known as “Instant Racing”) is where patrons gamble on the outcome of a previously run horse races from a database of thousands of races. The track simulcasts 364 days a year and hosts numerous horse sales. The last four years have resulted in creation of an entertainment center that houses a progressive betting and wagering experience, as well as a new and engaging aesthetic design for the track.

The Red Mile and Keeneland Race Course are a little more than five miles apart from one another.

While The Red Mile has been around for 144 years, Keeneland Race Course has been on the scene for a mere 83 years. Each track provides approximately 33 days of racing each year. And during the first weekend of October, horse racing fans can make the 15-minute commute back and forth from both tracks and watch many of the best Thoroughbred and Standardbred racehorses in the world compete. The partnership created by these two tracks in 2015 is a beacon of hope and inspiration for an industry in need of both.

All that’s old can be new again.

Has harness racing seen its share of challenges in recent years? Certainly.

But, come out to The Red Mile on a Saturday night, and you will see families; college students from the nearby University of Kentucky; weiner dogs racing in one of several special promotions and events. You will hear laughter coming from Frankie’s Bar & Grill and cheering coming from many of the gaming terminals.

“Where Tradition Meets Fun” is the slogan here, and few places do it better.