Economy hurts horse racing in Kentucky

Lexington, Ky.

-- The economy has already increased the number of unwanted horses around the country. Now it’s hitting Thoroughbreds where it hurts -- at race venues.

This week, the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission published a revised list of dates for Throroughbred, Standardbred and Quarter Horses. It cuts a quarter of Kentucky’s Thoroughbred races next year.

Racetracks reportedly sought fewer dates because of the tough economy’s shrinking of award purses and the local horse population.