FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Kevin Kerstein
Kentucky Racing Communications
Churchill Downs, Ellis Park, Turfway Park
(610) 420-6971 (mobile)
(502) 635-4712 (office)
Kevin.Kerstein@KyDerby.com
ELLIS PARK CONCLUDES MEET WITH 22% INCREASE IN ALL-SOURCES HANDLE
HENDERSON, Ky. (Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2023) – Ellis Park Racing & Gaming’s summer season has come to a close with a substantial 22% gain in all-sources handle and 48% increase in prize money awarded.
In total, more than $60.4 million was wagered at the 24-day Ellis Park meet, $11 million more than 2022. Along with the sizable handle increase, the connections who raced… Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Kevin Kerstein
Kentucky Racing Communications
Churchill Downs, Ellis Park, Turfway Park
(610) 420-6971 (mobile)
(502) 635-4712 (office)
Kevin.Kerstein@KyDerby.com
MOUFFY MAKES LATE RALLY TO WIN ELLIS PARK TURF
HENDERSON, Ky. (Sunday, Aug. 27, 2023) – Augustin Stable’s Mouffy made a bold late rally to pass favored Lovely Princess in deep stretch to win Sunday’s $125,000 Ellis Park Turf.
Mouffy is trained by Jonathan Thomas and was piloted by Emmanuel Esquivel. The Ellis Park Turf was Mouffy’s first stakes victory. She completed 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.46.
It was a good start to the… Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Kevin Kerstein
Kentucky Racing Communications
Churchill Downs, Ellis Park, Turfway Park
(610) 420-6971 (mobile)
(502) 635-4712 (office)
Kevin.Kerstein@KyDerby.com
ELLIS PARK MOVES FRIDAY CARD TO MONDAY DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING
HENDERSON, Ky. (Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2023) – Officials from Ellis Park Racing & Gaming announced Friday’s nine-race card has been postponed to Monday due to an excessive heat warning in the Henderson, Ky. area.
The National Weather Service’s Friday forecast called for temperatures in the high 90s with heat index readings of 105-115 degrees. The excessive heat… Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Kevin Kerstein
Kentucky Racing Communications
Churchill Downs, Ellis Park, Turfway Park
(610) 420-6971 (mobile)
(502) 635-4712 (office)
Kevin.Kerstein@KyDerby.com
MULTIPLE STAKES WINNER BIPARTISANSHIP SHIPS IN FROM EAST COAST FOR ELLIS PARK TURF STAKES
HENDERSON, Ky. (Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023) – As One Racing, CMNWLTH and Edgar Harty’s multiple stakes winner Bipartisanship is set to ship to Ellis Park for trainer Graham Motion and face 10 rivals that entered Sunday’s 19th running of the $125,000 Ellis Park Turf Stakes.
The 1 1/16-mile Ellis Park Turf Stakes is the featured contest on Closing Day… Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Kevin Kerstein
Kentucky Racing Communications
Churchill Downs, Ellis Park, Turfway Park
(610) 420-6971 (mobile)
(502) 635-4712 (office)
Kevin.Kerstein@KyDerby.com
*Please credit photo to: Coady Photography/Ellis Park
FIVE-WAY CHASE FOR ELLIS PARK LEADING RIDER WITH SIX DAYS OF RACING TO GO
HENDERSON, Ky. (Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023) – Ellis Park’s race for the leading rider has been a heated battle all summer and with only six days of racing to go there are five jockeys within two wins of one another in their quest to snag the title.
Prior to Friday’s nine-race card, Rafael Bejarano and… Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Kevin Kerstein
Kentucky Racing Communications
Churchill Downs, Ellis Park, Turfway Park
(610) 420-6971 (mobile)
(502) 635-4712 (office)
Kevin.Kerstein@KyDerby.com
*Please credit photo to: Coady Photography/Ellis Park
FIVE-WAY CHASE FOR ELLIS PARK LEADING RIDER WITH SIX DAYS OF RACING TO GO
HENDERSON, Ky. (Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023) – The race for leading rider at Ellis Park has been a heated battle all summer and with only six days of racing to go there are five jockeys within two wins of one another in their quest to snag the title.
Prior to Friday’s nine-race card, Rafael Bejarano and… Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Kevin Kerstein
Kentucky Racing Communications
Churchill Downs, Ellis Park, Turfway Park
(610) 420-6971 (mobile)
(502) 635-4712 (office)
Kevin.Kerstein@KyDerby.com
LATE PICK 5 CARRYOVER OF $92,036 FRIDAY AT ELLIS PARK
HENDERSON, Ky. (Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023) – Bettors will be treated to a rare Late Pick 5 carryover of $92,036 when live racing resumes Friday at Ellis Park.
The Pick 5 carryover resulted after there were no winning tickets in Sunday’s late sequence that had winners who paid $2 mutuel prices of $123.06, $15.38, $9.40, $40.34 and $17.10. Friday’s Late Pick 5 will span Races 5-9 and… Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Kevin Kerstein
Kentucky Racing Communications
Churchill Downs, Ellis Park, Turfway Park
(610) 420-6971 (mobile)
(502) 635-4712 (office)
Kevin.Kerstein@KyDerby.com
TUMBARUMBA THUNDERS DOWN THE LANE TO WIN $250,000 ELLIS PARK DERBY
HENDERSON, Ky. (Sunday, Aug. 13, 2023) – Amerman Racing’s Tumbarumba thundered down the center of Ellis Park and scored his first stakes victory in Sunday’s featured sixth running of the $250,000 Ellis Park Derby (Listed).
Tumbarumba was ridden to victory by Rafael Bejarano for trainer Brian Lynch. Tumbarumba covered the one-mile distance in 1:36.02.
The… Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Kevin Kerstein
Kentucky Racing Communications
Churchill Downs, Ellis Park, Turfway Park
(610) 420-6971 (mobile)
(502) 635-4712 (office)
Kevin.Kerstein@KyDerby.com
HENDERSON, Ky. (Thursday, Aug. 10, 2023) – Six of North America’s prominent Thoroughbred aftercare organizations will be on-site Sunday at Ellis Park Racing & Gaming as part of Thoroughbred Aftercare Day.
The first of 10 races will get underway at 11:45 a.m. (CDT) and fans will be invited to learn more about Thoroughbred retirement at several booths set up on the concourse by Friends of Ferdinand, New Vocations, Second Stride… Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Kevin Kerstein
Kentucky Racing Communications
Churchill Downs, Ellis Park, Turfway Park
(610) 420-6971 (mobile)
(502) 635-4712 (office)
Kevin.Kerstein@KyDerby.com
MULTIPLE GRADED STAKES WINNER INTERSTATEDAYDREAM
HEADLINES $150,000 GROUPIE DOLL STAKES
HENDERSON, Ky. (Sunday, Aug. 6, 2023) – Flurry Racing Stable’s ultra-consistent Interstatedaydream will attempt another stakes score against 10 filly and mare rivals that entered Sunday’s 42nd running of the $150,000 Groupie Doll Stake (Listed) at Ellis Park Racing & Gaming.
The Groupie Doll Stakes, run at one-mile on the main track,… Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Kevin Kerstein
Kentucky Racing Communications
Churchill Downs, Ellis Park, Turfway Park
(610) 420-6971 (mobile)
(502) 635-4712 (office)
Kevin.Kerstein@KyDerby.com
SAFEEN GETS BY BLING IN FINAL STRIDES TO WIN GRADE III, $300,000 PUCKER UP
HENDERSON, Ky. (Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023) – Fergus Galvin and Rebecca Hillen’s Safeen rallied down the center of Ellis Park’s turf course and got by Bling in the final strides to win Sunday’s 58th running of the $300,000 Pucker Up (Grade III).
The Pucker UP was Safeen’s first graded stakes victory from seven starts. She was ridden by Luis Saez for trainer Eddie… Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Kevin Kerstein
Kentucky Racing Communications
Churchill Downs, Ellis Park, Turfway Park
(610) 420-6971 (mobile)
(502) 635-4712 (office)
Kevin.Kerstein@KyDerby.com
WADSWORTH OVERCOMES TROUBLED TRIP TO WIN $200,000 KY DOWNS PREVIEW DUELING GROUNDS DERBY AT ELLIS PARK
HENDERSON, Ky. (Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023) – Fans at Ellis Park were treated to a thriller in the $200,000 Ky Downs Preview Dueling Grounds Derby when favored Wadsworth overcame a troubled trip and held of late charges of Highway Robber and Anglophile to win his second-consecutive stakes event at the Pea Patch.
Wadsworth didn’t have… Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Kevin Kerstein
Kentucky Racing Communications
Churchill Downs, Ellis Park, Turfway Park
(610) 420-6971 (mobile)
(502) 635-4712 (office)
Kevin.Kerstein@KyDerby.com
WADSWORTH SEEKS SECOND-STRAIGHT ELLIS PARK VICTORY IN SATURDAY’S $200,000 KY DOWNS PREVIEW DUELING GROUNDS DERBY
HENDERSON, Ky. (Thursday, Aug. 3, 2023) – Godolphin and trainer Brad Cox will once again take aim for another stakes victory at Ellis Park with their newly-minted turf specialist Wadsworth, who was made the solid 8-5 morning line favorite against 12 rivals entered in Saturday’s $200,000 Ky Downs Preview Dueling Grounds Derby.
… Read MoreFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Kevin Kerstein
Kentucky Racing Communications
Churchill Downs, Ellis Park, Turfway Park
(610) 420-6971 (mobile)
(502) 635-4712 (office)
Kevin.Kerstein@KyDerby.com
WADSWORTH SEEKS SECOND-STRAIGHT ELLIS PARK VICTORY IN SATURDAY’S $200,000 KY DOWNS PREVIEW DUELING GROUNDS DERBY
HENDERSON, Ky. (Thursday, Aug. 3, 2023) – Godolphin and trainer Brad Cox will once again take aim at another stakes victory from Ellis Park with their newly-minted turf specialist Wadsworth, who was made the solid 8-5 morning line favorite against 12 rivals entered in Saturday’s $200,000 Ky Downs Preview Dueling Grounds Derby.
… Read MoreFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Kevin Kerstein
Kentucky Racing Communications
Churchill Downs, Ellis Park, Turfway Park
(610) 420-6971 (mobile)
(502) 635-4712 (office)
Kevin.Kerstein@KyDerby.com
*Please credit photo to: Coady Photography
MULTIPLE GRADED STAKES WINNER SPOOKY CHANNEL CLASHES WITH RETURNING KITODAN IN KY DOWNS TURF CUP PREVIEW
HENDERSON, Ky. (Sunday, July 30, 2023) – NBS Stable’s multiple graded stakes winner Spooky Channel is set to clash with Foster Family Racing, Douglas Miller and William Wargel’s returning Grade III winner Kitodan in Sunday’s sixth running of the $250,000 Ky Downs Turf Cup Preview, one of four… Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Kevin Kerstein
Kentucky Racing Communications
Churchill Downs, Ellis Park, Turfway Park
(610) 420-6971 (mobile)
(502) 635-4712 (office)
Kevin.Kerstein@KyDerby.com
*Please credit photo to: Coady Photography/Ellis Park
AMERICAN DERBY WINNER WADSWORTH RETURNS IN
KY DOWNS PREVIEW DUELING GROUNDS DERBY
Kentucky Downs Preview Weekend Will Feature Seven Stakes Across Two Days of Racing at Ellis Park
HENDERSON, Ky. (Saturday, July 29, 2023) – Godolphin’s newly-minted turf specialist Wadsworth will return to Ellis Park and headline a field of 12 entered in Saturday’s second running of the $… Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Kevin Kerstein
Kentucky Racing Communications
Churchill Downs, Ellis Park, Turfway Park
(610) 420-6971 (mobile)
(502) 635-4712 (office)
Kevin.Kerstein@KyDerby.com
HENDERSON, Ky. (Thursday, July 27, 2023) – Officials from Ellis Park Racing & Gaming announced Friday and Saturday’s programs will be postponed to Monday and Tuesday, respectively, due to forecasted temperatures in the high 90s and a projected heat index value of 106 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.
The Friday-Saturday cards will transfer as is to Monday-Tuesday and will not be redrawn.
Sunday’s nine-race… Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Kevin Kerstein
Kentucky Racing Communications
Churchill Downs, Ellis Park, Turfway Park
(610) 420-6971 (mobile)
(502) 635-4712 (office)
Kevin.Kerstein@KyDerby.com
HENDERSON, Ky. (Sunday, July 23, 2023) – Winchell Thoroughbreds’ classy filly Wicked Halo pressed by Non Violence inside the 1/16th pole to win Sunday’s inaugural running of the $125,000 Twin Bridges Stakes at Ellis Park Racing and Gaming.
Cristian Torres rode Wicked Halo for Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen. The duo completed six furlongs in 1:10.36.
The compact field of five fillies and mares broke well but it was Dealing… Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Kevin Kerstein
Kentucky Racing Communications
Churchill Downs, Ellis Park, Turfway Park
(610) 420-6971 (mobile)
(502) 635-4712 (office)
Kevin.Kerstein@KyDerby.com
HENDERSON, Ky. (Saturday, July 22, 2023) – Nathan Hayden’s homebred Here Mi Song made a bold mid-race rally and gamely held off O Besos to win Saturday’s $125,000 Jeff Hall Memorial at Ellis Park Racing & Gaming.
Trained by locally-based Billy Stinson Jr., Here Mi Song was ridden to victory by Alex Achard and completed 6 ½ furlongs in a sharp 1:16.06
Go West and Tut’s Revenge shared the early lead out of the starting gate… Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Kevin Kerstein
Kentucky Racing Communications
Churchill Downs, Ellis Park, Turfway Park
(610) 420-6971 (mobile)
(502) 635-4712 (office)
Kevin.Kerstein@KyDerby.com
HENDERSON, Ky. (Sunday, July 16, 2023) – Lael Stables’ homebred Daring Do recorded the first stakes win of her young career when she powered past favored American Apple in mid-stretch to win Sunday’s $100,000 Pea Patch Stakes at Ellis Park Racing & Gaming.
Trained by Wesley Ward, Daring Do completed 5 ½ furlongs on the “firm” turf in 1:01.82 under jockey Walter Rodriguez.
Daring Do broke well but was then relegated to fourth… Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Kevin Kerstein
Kentucky Racing Communications
Churchill Downs, Ellis Park, Turfway Park
(610) 420-6971 (mobile)
(502) 635-4712 (office)
Kevin.Kerstein@KyDerby.com
HENDERSON, Ky. (Sunday, July 16, 2023) – Winchell Thoroughbreds’ multiple Grade II winner Wicked Halo headlines a field of seven filly and mare sprinters that entered Sunday’s first running of the $125,000 Twin Bridges Stakes at Ellis Park Racing & Gaming.
The six-furlong Twin Bridges was carded as the sixth race on the nine-race card. First post is 11:45 a.m. (all times Central) and the Twin Bridges will go to post at 2:18 p.m.… Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Kevin Kerstein
Kentucky Racing Communications
Churchill Downs, Ellis Park, Turfway Park
(610) 420-6971 (mobile)
(502) 635-4712 (office)
Kevin.Kerstein@KyDerby.com
HENDERSON, Ky. (Saturday, July 15, 2023) – Trainer Greg Foley will attempt to keep his stakes hot streak intact when Bernard Racing, Tagg Team Racing, West Point Thoroughbreds and Terry Stephens’ O Besos makes his 5-year-old debut in Saturday’s $125,000 Jeff Hall Memorial at Ellis Park Racing & Gaming.
The 6 ½-furlong Jeff Hall Memorial is slated as Race 8 of 9 with a post time of 3:22 p.m. (all times Central) First post is 11:45 a.m.… Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Kristin Comer
Marketing Manager
Ellis Park Racing & Gaming
(812) 459-2883 (office)
Kristin.Comer@ellisparkracing.com
HENDERSON, Ky. (Thursday, July 13, 2023) – Ellis Park Racing & Gaming will celebrate Breast Cancer Survivors on Saturday with its annual Horses and Hope Day at the races.
Race fans are encouraged to visit the Pink Tent located on the track apron to learn about cancer prevention and screening resources. A limited number of free gifts will be available to cancer survivors. Horses and Hope will also have merchandise available for purchase.
“We want to send a… Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Kevin Kerstein
Kentucky Racing Communications
Churchill Downs, Ellis Park, Turfway Park
(610) 420-6971 (mobile)
(502) 635-4712 (office)
Kevin.Kerstein@KyDerby.com
HENDERSON, Ky. (Wednesday, July 12, 2023) – Veteran trainer David Vance, one of the fixtures on the Kentucky and Arkansas racing circuits, has announced his retirement following a remarkable 58-year career.
“It’s been a great run but I’ve decided it’s time to retire,” Vance said. “Horse racing is in my blood and it’s all I’ve known my entire life. I’ve told myself I’d train as long as I physically could and now is the time to retire. I’m… Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Kevin Kerstein
Kentucky Racing Communications
Churchill Downs, Ellis Park, Turfway Park
(610) 420-6971 (mobile)
(502) 635-4712 (office)
Kevin.Kerstein@KyDerby.com
HENDERSON, Ky. (Sunday, July 9, 2023) – KatieRich Stables’ Grade III-winning filly American Apple headlines a field of 11 turf sprinters that entered Sunday’s third running of the $100,000 Pea Patch Stakes at Ellis Park Racing & Gaming.
The Pea Patch Stakes, run at 5 ½ furlongs on turf, will go as Race 7 of 9 with a post time of 3:50 p.m. (all times Central) First post is 11:45 a.m.
American Apple achieved the most… Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Kevin Kerstein
Kentucky Racing Communications
Churchill Downs, Ellis Park, Turfway Park
(610) 420-6971 (mobile)
(502) 635-4712 (office)
Kevin.Kerstein@KyDerby.com
HENDERSON, Ky. (Saturday, July 8, 2023) – Hoolie Racing Stable’s Chiseler had a perfect rail-skimming ride by Corey Lanerie to record the first stakes victory of his career in Saturday’s third running of the $100,000 Dade Park Dash at Ellis Park Racing & Gaming.
Chiseler is trained by Greg Foley, who won three stakes events over the last seven days. Prior to Saturday’s Dade Park Dash, Foley had a stakes double on Stephen Foster Day when… Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Kevin Kerstein
Kentucky Racing Communications
Churchill Downs, Ellis Park, Turfway Park
(610) 420-6971 (mobile)
(502) 635-4712 (office)
Kevin.Kerstein@KyDerby.com
HENDERSON, Ky. (Sunday, July 2, 2023) – Barry and Joni Butzow’s Zozos stormed home to a front-running three-length victory in Sunday’s featured 68th running of the $275,000 Hanshin Stakes (Listed) at Ellis Park Racing & Gaming.
Zozos splashed one-mile in 1:35.73 over the “sloppy” surface. Florent Geroux was aboard Zozos for trainer Brad Cox.
The skies opened up almost as soon as the gates broke for the Hanshin Stakes but… Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Kevin Kerstein
Kentucky Racing Communications
Churchill Downs, Ellis Park, Turfway Park
(610) 420-6971 (mobile)
(502) 635-4712 (office)
Kevin.Kerstein@KyDerby.com
HENDERSON, Ky. (Saturday, July 1, 2023) – Gary and Mary West’s West Will Power notched the first Grade I in the history of Ellis Park when he defeated seven rivals by a half-length in Saturday’s $1 million Stephen Foster, a “Win and You’re In” Classic division race for the Breeders’ Cup World Championships.
Trained by Brad Cox and ridden by Flavien Prat, West Will Power completed 1 1/8 miles in 1:47.93, just .39 seconds off the track… Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Kevin Kerstein
Kentucky Racing Communications
Churchill Downs, Ellis Park, Turfway Park
(610) 420-6971 (mobile)
(502) 635-4712 (office)
Kevin.Kerstein@KyDerby.com
HENDERSON, Ky. (Thursday, June 29, 2023) – For the first time in the history of Ellis Park Racing & Gaming, a Grade I will be contested when eight of North America’s top older horses square off in Saturday’s $1 million Stephen Foster (GI). Here is a look at this year’s field by the numbers:
• $10,116,636: Total earnings of the entrants in the Stephen Foster led by Last Samurai ($2,128,964)
• $420,000: Highest public auction… Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Kevin Kerstein
Kentucky Racing Communications
Churchill Downs, Ellis Park, Turfway Park
(610) 420-6971 (mobile)
(502) 635-4712 (office)
Kevin.Kerstein@KyDerby.com
HENDERSON, Ky. (Wednesday, June 28, 2023) – Big weekends in horse racing are usually synonymous with several entries from the Brad Cox barn and that is the case for Saturday’s Stephen Foster Day at Ellis Park where the Louisville-based conditioner has five stakes entrants including West Will Power, the 7-2 second choice on the morning line odds in the $1 million Stephen Foster (Grade I).
“We’re looking forward to this weekend at Ellis… Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Kevin Kerstein
Kentucky Racing Communications
Churchill Downs, Ellis Park, Turfway Park
(610) 420-6971 (mobile)
(502) 635-4712 (office)
Kevin.Kerstein@KyDerby.com
HENDERSON, Ky. (Sunday, June 25, 2023) – Barry and Joni Butzow’s Zozos, the speedy winner of the $175,000 Knicks Go Overnight Stakes on Kentucky Derby Day, was entered to face eight rivals in Sunday’s 68th running of the $275,000 Hanshin Stakes presented by the JRA (Listed) at Ellis Park Racing & Gaming.
The one-mile Hanshin Stakes is one of five stakes contests on the Sunday program that will offer mandatory payouts in all exotic wagers… Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Kevin Kerstein
Kentucky Racing Communications
Churchill Downs, Ellis Park, Turfway Park
(610) 420-6971 (mobile)
(502) 635-4712 (office)
Kevin.Kerstein@KyDerby.com
HENDERSON, Ky. (Saturday, June 24, 2023) – Lucky Seven Stable’s multiple graded stakes winning colt Smile Happy headlines an accomplished field of eight older horses that entered Saturday’s 42nd running of the Grade I, $1 million Stephen Foster at Ellis Park Racing & Gaming.
The Stephen Foster is a “Win and You’re In” Challenge Series event for the Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI). The winner of the Stephen Foster will receive an automatic… Read More
Contact: Kevin Kerstein
Kentucky Racing Communications
Churchill Downs, Ellis Park, Turfway Park
(610) 420-6971 (mobile)
(502) 635-4712 (office)
Kevin.Kerstein@KyDerby.com
HENDERSON, Ky. (Thursday, June 22, 2023) – Lucky Seven Stables’ multiple graded stakes winner Smile Happy continues his preparation toward the July 1, $1 million Stephen Foster Stakes (Grade I) at Ellis Park Racing & Gaming and will likely face a field of nine rivals, according to racing officials.
Run at 1 1/8 miles, Stephen Foster is the centerpiece of a six pack of stakes events July 1 at Ellis Park. The other featured races on the program are the $400,000… Read More
Godolphin’s Derby City Distaff (Grade I) winner Matareya headlines a field of six fillies and mares that entered Saturday’s 33rd running of the $225,000 Chicago Stakes (GIII) at Ellis Park Racing & Gaming.
The Chicago Stakes will be run at seven furlongs on the main track and was carded as Race 9 of 10 with a post time of 3:55 p.m. First post is 11:45 a.m.
Matareya, trained by Brad Cox, is a two-time Grade I winning sprinter. Prior to her Grade I glory in the $750,000 Derby City Distaff presented by Kendall-Jackson Winery, Matareya won last year’s Acorn Stakes (GI) as a 3-year-old. Matareya has one prior start at Ellis Park when she broke her maiden as a 2-… Read More
Gold Standard Racing Stable’s Hoosier Philly returned to the winner’s circle for the first time this year when she took the field wire-to-wire in Saturday’s second running of the $175,000 Monomoy Girl Overnight Stakes at Ellis Park Racing & Gaming.
Trained by Tom Amoss and ridden by Edgar Morales, Hoosier Philly completed the one-mile distance in 1:36.39 over the “fast” surface at the “Pea Patch.”
Hoosier Philly comfortably completed an opening quarter-mile in :25.23 in the Monomoy Girl Overnight Stakes while rating 1 ½ lengths in front of Sabra Tuff. Around the far turn, following three-quarters of a mile in 1:13.16, Morales dropped his hands and Hoosier… Read More
HENDERSON, Ky. (Friday, June 16, 2023) – Pura Vida Investments’ Rhyme Schemes stamped himself as one of the top 2-year-olds in the country following his dazzling 9 ½-length romp in a maiden special weight contest Thursday at Ellis Park Racing & Gaming.
Trained by Norm Casse and ridden by Ricardo Santana Jr., Rhyme Schemes completed the 5 ½-furlong distance in 1:02.82, just .51 seconds off the track record set by Spycraft in 2021. Rhyme Schemes’ victory earned a stout 93 Brisnet Speed Rating.
“We’ve gone about training our 2-year-olds a little bit differently… Read More
HENDERSON, Ky. (Wednesday, June 14, 2023) – Patricia’s Hope’s Twin Spires Turf Sprint (Grade II) hero Nobals headlines an over-subscribed field of 11 colts and geldings that were entered in Sunday’s featured $225,000 Mighty Beau Stakes (Listed) at Ellis Park Racing & Gaming.
Run at 5 ½ furlongs on turf, the Mighty Beau was carded as Race 7 of 9 with a post time of 3:43 p.m. (all times Central). First post is 12:50 p.m.
Trained by Larry Rivelli, Nobals sprung a 38-1 upset on Kentucky Derby Day in the $500,000 Turf Sprint presented by Cohere Health. The fleet-footed son of Noble Mission (GB)… Read More
HENDERSON, Ky. (Sunday, June 11, 2023) – Godolphin’s multiple graded stakes winner Wet Paint is set for her return to the track following her fourth-place finish as the favorite in last month’s Longines Kentucky Oaks (Grade I) when she faces fan favorite Hoosier Philly in Saturday’s second running of the $175,000 Monomoy Girl Overnight Stakes at Ellis Park Racing & Gaming.
A compact field of six 3-year-old fillies entered the one-mile Monomoy Girl Overnight Stakes which will have a post time of 4:11 p.m. (all times Central) as Race 8. First post for the 10-race program is 12:50 p.m. and will also feature the… Read More
LOUISVILLE, KY. (September 26, 2022) – Churchill Downs Incorporated (“CDI” or “the Company”) (Nasdaq: CHDN) announced today that the Company has completed its previously-announced purchase of Ellis Park Racing & Gaming (“Ellis Park”) in Henderson, Kentucky, for cash consideration of $79 million, subject to certain working capital and other purchase price adjustments. In acquiring Ellis Park, CDI also assumes the opportunity to construct a track extension facility with historical racing machines in Owensboro, Kentucky.
“Our team is already hard at work in both Henderson and Owensboro,” said Bill Carstanjen, Chief Executive… Read More
HENDERSON, KY (Thursday, September 3, 2021) — Ellis Park Racing and Gaming is getting ready to say goodbye to the 2021 live racing season with a final blowout weekend this Friday, September 3rd and Saturday, September 4th. The season will culminate with the Horses & Horsepower Promotion in which one lucky guest may win a new Chevy!
“We’ve had a very fun and exciting live horse racing season this year”, states General Manager, Jeff Inman. “We look forward to an even bigger and better 2022 live racing season as we celebrate Ellis Park’s 100th Year Anniversary in grand style.” Ellis Park Racing & Gaming will still offer simulcast racing and a variety of… Read More
HENDERSON, KY (Thursday, August 12, 2021) — Ellis Park Racing and Gaming is set for another big weekend of racing and excitement. The weekend begins on Saturday, August 14th, as iconic trainer D. Wayne Lukas and racing stalwart Dale Romans will be participating in a meet-and-greet in the Ellis Park Beer Garden where they will interview each other, tell stories about their experiences and answer any questions in the audience. The two will make
themselves available for photographs and autographs after the scheduled event.
Sunday, August 15th, brings on a jam-packed day with stakes racing that includes the Audubon Oaks, the Groupie Doll, the Ellis Park… Read More
HENDERSON, Ky. (Friday, July 23, 2021) — Prior to the fifth race Friday afternoon at Ellis Park Racing & Gaming, a tractor driver was taken to the hospital after hitting the inner rail during between-race maintenance.
Ellis Park Racing & Gaming did not identify the employee, citing health privacy laws. With the rail unable to be immediately repaired, the fifth and seventh races were moved from the main track to the turf. Track General Manager Jeff Inman said that the rail would be repaired overnight and into the morning and racing would resume as scheduled at 12:50 p.m. CT Saturday.
The surface change necessitated changes to a trio of multi-race… Read More
HENDERSON, KY (Friday, May 14, 2021) — Ellis Park Racing and Gaming announced today that in accordance with the CDC and Commonwealth of Kentucky, the facility will adhere to the revised guidance for the current mask mandate. Today, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear announced that vaccinated individuals no longer need to wear a mask nor socially distance from each other in public settings. Based on this guidance, Ellis Entertainment has stopped enforcing mask restrictions at the property and began allowing guests to smoke in designated indoor areas if guests have been fully vaccinated.
Additionally, the Governor announced that on June 11, 2021, all mask… Read More
