Kentucky Downs, August 29, 2025
News Summary
Trainer Miguel Clement is poised to showcase his stable with six horses entered in the opening weekend at Kentucky Downs. Following in his late father’s footsteps, Clement is set to compete in notable races, including the $1 million Mountain Dew Bowling Green Gold Cup. His stable’s strong turf performance and seasoned contenders like Danse Macabre and Tawny Port promise an exciting start to the season. With significant upgrades to race coverage technology, the weekend is set to highlight both racing talent and innovation at Kentucky Downs.
Nashville, TN – Trainer Miguel Clement is set to make his mark at Kentucky Downs this weekend, entering six horses in the first three programs of the racing season. This season is particularly significant for Clement, who is following in the footsteps of his late father, Christophe Clement, a highly respected figure in the world of turf racing.
With strong turf performance in mind, the Clement stable is prepared for an exciting weekend, featuring three horses on Thursday’s opening card, two for stakes on Saturday, and one more for Sunday’s events. The notable entry, Tawny Port, will make its stakes debut in the $1 million Mountain Dew Bowling Green Gold Cup, highlighting the optimism surrounding this talented horse.
In addition, Danse Macabre, a 5-year-old mare, is looking to secure the top prize in the $2 million G2 Never Say Die Ladies Turf Sprint. This marks her fourth consecutive year racing at Kentucky Downs, underscoring her substantial experience on this unique track.
Miguel Clement, who took over as head trainer following his father’s passing on May 25 due to a rare eye cancer, has been making notable strides. The Clement barn has shown exceptional performance at the Saratoga Race Course, currently leading the turf standings against competitors like Chad Brown. Over a 34-day season at Saratoga, Clement’s horses recorded 16 wins from 64 turf starts and accrued $1,909,638 in earnings, including four graded stakes victories.
Among his stakes contenders, Deterministic stands out as the leading horse from the Clement stable, delivering Miguel’s first stakes victory shortly after his father’s death. The performance record at Kentucky Downs has also been commendable, with a history of 9 wins, 14 seconds, and 8 thirds from 47 starters, resulting in total earnings of $3,226,537 since 2013. Last year marked a career high for Clement at Kentucky Downs, where he earned $1,097,732 despite winning only once.
The upcoming races will present challenges unique to Kentucky Downs, known for its undulating course. Clement compares this track’s challenges to those he encountered during international internships. He has strategically scheduled his horses for various distances, benefiting their competition prospects.
Intricate Spirit, a recent winner, is earmarked for a $250,000 open allowance, aiming for future stakes opportunities. Tawny Port will tackle a distance of 2 1/16 miles, with Clement expressing confidence in the horse’s capabilities to handle the length. Danse Macabre has been transferred to Clement’s stable this season and has demonstrated improved performance in recent training sessions.
Enhancing the racing experience this year, Kentucky Downs is upgrading its simulcast feed technology, introducing a new cable cam and drone camera system for improved race coverage. These upgrades will allow for better visualization of races and a deeper understanding of the racing dynamics. The cable camera setup, spanning 3,000 feet, is now the second-longest in North America, and the inclusion of a drone will provide aerial perspectives during races. Overall, Kentucky Downs aims to utilize 10 cameras for this meet, an increase from the previous 19-25 crew members managing video production.
Conclusion
As Miguel Clement carries forward his family legacy at Kentucky Downs, fans are eager to see how his horses perform in the upcoming races. With a strong foundation laid by his father and improvements to the racing experience, this season holds great promise for both the trainer and horse racing enthusiasts.
FAQ
Who is Miguel Clement?
Miguel Clement is a horse trainer who took over the training duties at his father’s stable following the passing of his father, Christophe Clement.
How many horses has Clement entered at Kentucky Downs this weekend?
Clement has entered a total of six horses for the opening weekend at Kentucky Downs.
What notable races are Clement’s horses participating in?
Clement’s horses are competing in several notable races, including the $1 million Mountain Dew Bowling Green Gold Cup and the $2 million G2 Never Say Die Ladies Turf Sprint.
What improvements have been made to the simulcast feed at Kentucky Downs?
Kentucky Downs has introduced new technology including a cable camera and drone camera to provide better race coverage and visual enhancements.
Summary of Key Features
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Trainer | Miguel Clement |
| Horses Entered | Six horses for opening weekend |
| Key Races | $1M Mountain Dew Bowling Green Gold Cup, $2M G2 Never Say Die Ladies Turf Sprint |
| Clement’s Record | 16 wins in 64 turf starts at Saratoga |
| Simulcast Improvements | New cable cam and drone camera system |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- BloodHorse: Kentucky Downs to Use Cable Camera, Drone for Coverage
- Thoroughbred Daily News: Fasig-Tipton August Digital Sale Topper Heads for Kentucky Downs
- BloodHorse: BBN Racing Hoping KY Downs is Twice as Sweet in 2025
- Sports Illustrated: Tapit Stakes Kentucky Downs Race Preview & Picks
- BloodHorse: A Turf Oasis, Kentucky Downs Gears Up for 2025 Season
- Wikipedia: Kentucky Downs
- Google Search: Kentucky Downs Horse Racing
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Horse Racing
- Google News: Kentucky Downs
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