The Canadian Sportsman
Last Call Online
Back To Last Call OnlineOctober 29, 2009
Will slots mean The Red Mile will be moved? Can you move hallowed ground? George Segal thinks so.
The recent announcement that Grand Circuit week at The Red Mile will be moved a couple of weeks later in the calendar next year (Oct.13-23) to accommodate the World Equestrian Games set to take over Lexington (Sept. 25-Oct. 10) jogged my memory about an interview I did with Segal at The Red Mile during this year’s Grand Circuit meet.
Segal not only owns the famed Brittany Farms. He also is a part-owner in The Red Mile. There’s no question the famed track is struggling without other forms of gaming.
On Oct. 9, Segal said he was optimistic slots or some other form of gaming will come to Kentucky tracks, pegging the odds at 2-1 it will happen in the next five years.
“I believe the environment, politically and economically, is better than ever,” Segal said.
Then Segal said something very interesting: “We’ll have gaming at racetracks in Kentucky. Whether this track will be on this ground at this spot I don’t know.”
Segal pointed to traffic congestion in downtown Lexington as a major impediment. We already know the land The Red Mile occupies is valuable, especially since it abuts the University of Kentucky.
Segal said, “Racing will always exist in this city. The Red Mile will always be here.”
But by “here” he means in the greater Lexington region. Not necessarily at its current location.
Which on some levels is sacrilegious given The Red Mile’s rich history. But Segal said the red clay can be moved.
“We’ll move the ground. We’ll make new hallowed ground,” he said.
Not sure about the Stable of Memories, but if it means it’s the only way racing will continue in Lexington, so be it.
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