Reaping the Rewards

are up and running in Bowling Green and in Williamsburg. He is building a fourth Kentucky site in Corbin, where Winchell has acquired a license to operate a Standardbred racetrack.

A percentage of profts from these casinos is earmarked for the Kentucky Toroughbred Development Fund, helping to fund purses at racetracks across the state as well as returning awards to breeders. Tese monies have helped lif Kentucky racing and make it competitive with states such as New York and Arkansas, which have enhanced purse money through casino profts. Te Kentucky racing circuit today is healthier than it has been for several decades because of this added money.

“Kentucky Downs was an opportunity as a horse racing and gaming crossroads, if you will,” said Winchell. “Te Historical Horse Racing platform was on the verge of exploding, and we were able to recognize that. It’s enabled Kentucky to remain the leader of the Toroughbred industry in- stead of it falling far behind other states, so it’s been crucial for horse racing.

“It’s a great business, and it provides entertainment — instant entertainment, which is what people want today. Horse racing has fallen behind because people don’t want to wait 30 minutes between races. Tese HHR machines aren’t much diferent from going to a teller at the track and hitting the Pick Six quick pick. Tat’s all it really is — hitting the quick pick button, and the wheel turns and provides that instant action.”

Winchell’sorganizationhasa75%stake in the Mint Gaming Halls in Kentucky and operates the facilities. Keeneland is one of the minority owners of Mint.

Ron Winchell’s wheel has come up three cherries in casinos and in Toroughbred racing and breeding, bringing dual jackpots to the quiet entrepreneur. Tere remains, however, at least one unchecked item on his agenda — Epicenter losing to the out-of-the-clouds longshot Rich Strike in last year’s Kentucky Derby lef Winchell still seeking his frst victory in the Run for the Roses. And there is also one unattainable dream he wishes he could bring about.

Asked what his late father’s reaction would be to today’s Winchell Toroughbreds, Ron said, “I’d give anything for him to come back for a day so we could show him where we are. He’d be foored because it’s defnitely gone to a diferent level. I’d love to talk to him about everything. Unfortunately, we can’t do that.” KM