FRANKLIN Horse racing at southcentral Kentuckys only track is approaching a seven-day live meet next month, but thats not the only excitement at Kentucky Downs. After announcing last week a four-race turf schedule on Sept. 23, Turfway Park President Robert N. Elliston had another surprise on Friday. Elliston announced that steeplechase racing would return for two races in conjunction with the $700,000 Kentucky Cup Turf Festival. The two races will include The Grabel (Grade II) For the Sport of Kings with a purse of $50,000 and a Madien Hurdle For the Sport of Kings with a purse of $25,000.These two races will mark the return of steeplechase racing to Franklin since the former Dueling Grounds was taken over by the partnership of Bowling Green businessman Brad Kelly, Churchill Downs and Turfway, which manages the facility. This is a great day, said Elliston following the announcement. Kentucky Downs is made for hurdle events. It has a traditional European feel to it and it is only natural to see that type of race here. Each race has been approved by the Kentucky racing commission and will be about two miles and a furlong over natural fences, in accordance with the National Steeplechase Association. Jump races have a great following in the Nashville market as it does elsewhere in Kentucky, Elliston said. Both events are expected to attract top caliber horses for the maiden hurdle (for 3-year-old horses and upward starting in jump events) while the grade II event is a novice handicap hurdle for 4-year-olds and upward which havent won over hurdles prior to September 1999.Elliston and Robert Forbek, Turfway Park director of marketing and communications, were pleased with being able to announce these new races. These will be first class events and be doing it in a first class manner, Elliston said. What makes these seven live race dates Sept. 16 through 19, 23, 25 and 26 even more interesting is when they coincide and what they offer. This will be a supplement of our flat racing, Forbeck said. When you look at it there isnt a short meet like this offering $1.7 million in total purses. Kentucky Downs has made several ascetic improvements in preparation for the 2000 Kentucky Turf Festival which will run in conjunction with Turfway Parks card. The number of dates might be small, but that is what makes this card so special, Elliston said. We toyed with the idea of seeking some spring dates, but with a turf track you are at the mercy of the weather.