Kentucky Downs announced that Race Lens will once again be the presenting sponsor of the upcoming King of the Turf Handicapping Challenge, which will be held Sunday, August 30, Thursday, September 3, and Saturday, September 5.
The King of the Turf Handicapping Challenge at Kentucky Downs has become one of country’s most popular live-money tournaments, and will consist of three online handicapping contests taking place through Xpressbet, TVG/4NJBETS, TwinSpires and HPI (for Saturday, Sept. 5 contest) only. A $400 buy-in contest ($200 entry fee, $200 bankroll) will be held on Sunday, August 30, 2026, followed by a $300 buy-in contest ($150 entry fee, $150 bankroll) on Thursday, September 3, 2026, and a $2,500 buy-in contest ($1,000 entry fee, $1,500 bankroll) on Saturday, September 5, 2026. Each of the three individual contests will have an independent prize structure. The player who wins the Saturday, Sept. 5 contest will be named the King of the Turf: National Turf Handicapping Champion. Feeder competitions for the King of the Turf Handicapping Challenge are available at
horsetourneys.com.
This marks the second year that Race Lens — the interactive past-performance product from Equibase, the Thoroughbred industry’s official database for racing information and statistics — has sponsored the King of the Turf. More information about Race Lens can be found at
Equibase.com/RaceLens.
“Everyone associated with the King of the Turf Handicapping Challenge is thrilled to have RaceLens back as presenting sponsor,” said Brian Skirka, King of the Turf Handicapping Challenge Director. “RaceLens provides horseplayers unmatched handicapping information which certainly gives their customers an edge. I have no doubt that RaceLens can help someone win King of the Turf and we thank RaceLens for their continued sponsorship and support.”
“Race Lens has proven to be a great tool for handicappers who enjoy contest play,” said Equibase President and COO Kyle McDoniel. “We are excited to partner once again with Kentucky Downs in sponsoring the King of the Turf, which has become one of the largest and most competitive handicapping tournaments in the country.”
The 1/ST BET Kentucky Downs Meet will be broadcast live each day of the seven-day meet on Peacock, FanDuelTV, as well as Kentucky Downs’ YouTube channel @kentuckydownsracing8897. NBC Sports also will provide live coverage of Opening Day from 3:00-5:00 PM CT, while NBC will air Kentucky Downs on Saturday, September 5 during the same time slot.
About The Mint Gaming Hall – Kentucky Downs
Cashville, KY is The Mint Gaming Hall: Kentucky’s leading sports, adventure and gaming venue. Locations feature a wide range of opportunities to win, from horse racing and simulcasting to the Circa Sports Kentucky sportsbook and attached SpringHill Suites hotel in Franklin, alongside tastefully designed restaurants and bars with exciting entertainment and events. The Mint Gaming Hall has four locations near the Kentucky and Tennessee border: Kentucky Downs in Franklin, Bowling Green, Williamsburg and the Cumberland Run harness track in Corbin. More information is available at themintgaming.com and on Facebook and Instagram (@mintgaminghall).
Contact: Ryan Martin
(502) 523-4935
