'We've put a lot of focus into improving the racing product-both for our horsemen and horseplayers-and appreciate the positive response from both groups, which has led to positive handle numbers,' Churchill executive director of racing Gary Palmisano Jr. A 20.7 percent increase in purses and a more reliable turf course likely have helped Fair Grounds, but Turfway is racing off a very similar book as last year, as purses are up just 3.3 percent there. 17, respectively, are doing especially well.įair Grounds is up 43.7 percent, and Turfway is up 54.9 percent. All three posted increases in the period, and Turfway and Fair Grounds, which opened Nov. Leading the charge was Churchill Downs Inc., whose portfolio of five Thoroughbred facilities includes three that run dates after the Breeders' Cup: its flagship facility in Louisville, Turfway Park in Northern Kentucky and Fair Grounds in New Orleans.