November 20, 2020
Ellis Park Racing & Gaming is happy to say that we are still open! However, we feel that it is important to offer a quick update based on the new restrictions from the Commonwealth of Kentucky that go into effect on November 20, 2020 at 5:00 PM. Your wellness and safety are our top priorities and we are constantly trying to find new ways to create a safer environment for our guests and team members. These restrictions are scheduled to expire on December 13th, but may be extended if COVID-19 cases do not decline.
Beginning November 20th, Ellis Park Racing & Gaming will be enacting the following policies per Commonwealth guidance:
· All Food & Beverage operations will be moved to an outdoor heated and covered tent area trackside in front of the Turf Club. Our new tent will offer our same great service with a full bar and quick serve restaurant menu. Please follow signage on the Gaming Floor to find our new dining location.
· Due to the new restrictions, the entire clubhouse will now be a non-smoking facility. For guest comfort and convenience, we have created an outdoor smoking tent trackside in front of the clubhouse. Please follow signage on the Gaming Floor to find our new smoking location.
· All guests and team members will be required to wear a mask or face covering at all times while inside the Clubhouse.
· Guest occupancy in our building will be limited to 33%. We now have a total of 196 games available for play.
Other guidelines still in effect:
· An Ellis Park team member will take the temperature of all guests, employees, and vendors prior to entrance into the gaming area. Any guest or team member with a temperature exceeding 100.0° F will not be allowed to enter the building. In addition, any individual exhibiting any symptoms of COVID-19 (such as coughing, chills, shortness of breath, etc.) after entering the building may be asked to leave.
· Multiple hand sanitizing stations are located throughout the gaming floor, at all entrances, and near our new F&B and Smoking tents. We also encourage frequent hand washing.
· Our staff are constantly moving throughout the facility, cleaning everything from gaming machines to high touch areas (such as kiosks, counters, and handles), in order to keep our building as safe as possible.
· In order to encourage social distancing, we have strategically configured our gaming floor to ensure at least six feet of distance between guests while playing. We have also placed floor decals in locations where potential lines or queues may form.
· Signage can be found across the Gaming Floor encouraging social distancing, how to wear and remove a mask, and how to stop the spread of germs through proper hand washing.
· Please do not visit Ellis Park if you have a fever, if you are not feeling well, have recently traveled outside of the region, or have had contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19. Stay safe, play later.
Thank you for helping to keep Ellis Park a safer, healthier Fast Track to Fun!
August 6, 2020
Per the decision of the Honorable Governor Andy Beshear and the Commonwealth of Kentucky to extend safety mandates in our state in an effort to flatten the curve of COVID-19 cases, all bars and restaurants are expected to stop service at 10 PM until further notice. Consequently, all food and beverage items from Dade Park Bar & Grill and other concession services on-site (including alcoholic beverages), will not be served after 10 PM each day until we are given the all clear to reopen regular hours by the Commonwealth.
We appreciate the patience and understanding of our guests while we comply with this new mandate and continue our effortless dedication to cleanliness and safety at Ellis Park during such unprecedented times. Thank you all for your continued support!
July 14, 2020
Effective immediately, Ellis Park Racing & Gaming has increased track and racing protocols/testing requirements.
All jockeys and valets must have a negative COVID-19 test result taken before being admitted to Ellis Park. Once a negative test is reported they will not need additional testing unless they leave the local area, Kentucky or ride/race at another racetrack.
All backside entrants, including jockeys who do leave the local area or the state of Kentucky after their initial test, will be required to provide a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 48 hours before being re-admitted to Ellis Park.
ALL SHIP-INS will go directly to the Receiving Barn/assigned stall. All horsemen directed to the Receiving Barn/assigned stall may not enter any other area of the barn area except the track kitchen for carry-out food only.
Same day result testing is available in the Henderson area, but appointments must be made in advance. Please visit firstcareclinics.com or call 270-854-3196 for information or reservations.
For more information about Ellis Park’s new cleaning and safety protocols, please visit www.ellisparkracing.com.
July 10, 2020
Ellis Park Racing & Gaming has increased track and racing protocols in compliance with Governor Andy Beshear’s statement requiring facial coverings to be worn at all times in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
Ellis Park has been requiring masks for all patrons since July 6th– three days earlier than the official government mandate. All employees and backside personnel have been required to wear masks since the June 8 reopening of the racing and gaming operation.
“Governor Beshear’s actions will make it easier for us to keep our guests, our team, and the entire community safer,” said General Manager, Jeffrey Inman. “It is important to remember that confirmed cases are spiking elsewhere in the United States, so we applaud Governor Beshear’s decision to further protect our residents and we are making considerable efforts to provide a safer environment for our guests.”
Backside, trackside, and racing protocols have also been increased. All backside entrants, including jockeys who do not transfer to Ellis Park directly from another Kentucky track will be required to provide a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 48 hours before being admitted to Ellis Park.
Inman noted, “With the uptick in active cases, and the highly mobile nature of the Jockey community, we felt it was better to require a negative test before allowing them on the premises. In addition, we now have access to tests with same day results.”
The 98th season of world-class horse racing continues at Ellis Park through August 30th.
The track, which is not racing this week while Keeneland runs a five-date make-up meet, is open daily for Historical Horse Racing gaming and simulcasting.
Same day result testing is available in the Henderson area, but appointments must be made in advance. Please visit www.firstcareclinics.com or call 270-854-3196 for information or reservations.
For more information about Ellis Park’s new cleaning and safety protocols, please visit www.ellisparkracing.com.
June 4, 2020
Ellis Park will reopen for Historical Horse Racing gaming this Monday at 10 a.m. Central.
Following coronavirus safety protocols, the facility will be limited to 33-percent occupancy and every employee and guest will have their temperature measured before entering.
Ellis Park has been closed since March 16 because of the global pandemic. Gov. Andy Beshear late Thursday afternoon approved the opening of Kentucky tracks’ Historical Horse Racing (HHR) operations starting Monday under similar restrictions placed on restaurants. Gaming terminals available for play will be at least six feet apart, with Ellis Park reconfiguring how machines are positioned as well as turning on every third machine. About 130 gaming terminals will be available for use.
Guests are highly encouraged to wear masks or facial coverings. Ellis Park is bringing in additional staff to clean all the gaming terminals and the simulcast area, with disinfectant wipes available for customers. All Ellis Park employees will be tested for COVID-19.
Betting on horse tracks across the country will begin Wednesday on Ellis Park’s second floor, with tables spaced a minimum of 6 feet apart and a limit on how many people can be upstairs in order to comply with the 33-percent limit.
“We applaud Gov. Beshear and his office working with the racetracks to get our revenue stream back up and running,” said Jeff Inman, Ellis Park’s general manager. “This is vital to having a successful live race meet, which is so important to the horse industry in Kentucky and all the businesses in the Tri-State area who benefit from Ellis Park and its horsemen. We know the public is itching to get to some form of new normalcy, and we’re delighted to have our popular entertainment venue back in business in a safe manner next week.”
Ellis Park will open for HHR gaming 10 a.m. daily and be available Sunday through Thursday until 2 a.m. the following morning and closing at 4 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday mornings.
The Dade Park Grill will be open for food service. Alcohol will be available for purchase at the clubhouse bar, with no seating there allowed at this time. Ellis Park hopes to implement contactless ordering via text for food and beverages by mid-month.
Ellis Park also will begin allowing horses into the stable area starting Monday by appointment only. Trainers should contact stall manager J.J. Gloria at 270-454-2361. Horses stabled in the vicinity, such as at Riverside Downs training track, will get first priority. Horsemen also can begin bringing in their tack and equipment and setting up barns this weekend but should contact Gloria in advance.
Horsemen and backstretch workers will be required to have a health check every day before entering the backstretch and be licensed by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission.
Ellis Park is scheduled to open for live racing July 2.
Media: Contact marketing manager Allie Sclafani at 772-631-5576 or asclafani@ellisparkracing.comfor more information or to arrange an interview with Ellis Park general manager Jeff Inman
March 30, 2020
To Our Current and Potential Vendors,
This facility is practicing social distancing as outlined by the CDC and WHO. Unfortunately, this also means that if you do not have an existing meeting scheduled, we are not accepting walk-in appointments at this time.
To schedule a meeting with the Ellis Park team, please call 812-425-1456 to schedule an appointment. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Sincerely,
Ellis Park Racing & Gaming
March 15, 2020
Dear Valued Guest,
Upon consultation with the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission regarding the Coronavirus pandemic, Ellis Park Racing & Gaming has made the difficult decision to voluntarily close all customer-facing operations beginning Monday, March 16th at 12:00am. The closure will continue until a time that we are advised it is safe and prudent for the public and our employees to return. We understand that this is incredibly short notice for you, our valued guest, and we apologize for any inconvenience that it may cause.
There is no higher priority at Ellis Park Racing & Gaming than the health and safety of our guests and team members which has led to this unprecedented decision. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates on the Ellis Park Racing & Gaming Facebook Page and our website that can be found at www.ellisparkracing.com.
Sincerely,
Ellis Park Racing & Gaming