LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Preparations are underway at Ellis Park as officials get ready to debut something new for the thoroughbred race track.
"It's taken not only a lot of years of perseverance, but just to get everything done has taken a lot of hard work and sacrifices," says Ron Geary, the owner of Ellis Park.
Just in time for Labor Day weekend, racing fans will get a look at 187 instant racing machines before live racing wraps up for the year at the track.
The instant racing machines resemble slot machines and allow people to bet on previously run races, but unidentified horses. Track officials are hopeful instant racing will lead to additional revenue and have added 78 new employees.
"Instead of $125,000 a day from regular purses, we think that could move up to $175,000 or more a day," says Geary. "It's just going to depend on the volume that happens. That results in more purse money, more horses wanting to come here to run instead of going to other states."
This is all happening as the legality of instant racing in Kentucky is still being questioned.
Last September, Kentucky Downs in Franklin also added instant racing. It's the subject of an ongoing challenge by the Family Foundation of Kentucky, which has been sent back to Franklin Circuit Court to discuss the issue.
In the meantime, track officials at Ellis Park are moving forward with instant racing. The hope is to add 65 more machines in the next 90 days.
"We have plenty of jurisdiction in our favor and so that's why we're moving forward because we simply cannot wait," says Geary.
Officials say the instant racing machines will be available from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m., 7 days a week, year round. The instant racing machines at Ellis Park were set to officially open to the public at 10 a.m. on Aug. 31.
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