Ellis Park’s racing and gaming facility was scheduled to operate as normal Friday following unexpected water issues that caused Thursday’s opening day racing program to be conducted without fans and the gaming facility to be closed.
First post for Friday’s live racing program was 11:50 a.m. CT. The gaming facility at the Henderson track was open at 8 a.m.
“Thank you to our staff, the local Henderson community and racing fans for their patience as we dealt with an unexpected water issue caused by storms Wednesday evening,” General Manager Matt Pressley said. “We’re looking forward to seeing everyone out at the track today.”
the start of the 25-day summer season. The thoroughbred summer meet at the Henderson track will run July 4-Aug. 26. Opening day is Thursday July 4.
This season, live racing will be held three days a week, Saturday through Monday, except for opening week which will run Thursday through Sunday, according to a media release from Ellis Park.
Record stakes purses await this summer at Ellis Park, where an impressive $3.7 million is available across 18 races for the 25-day season.
Ellis Park’s stakes lineup is led by the $400,000 Pucker Up (Grade III), one of seven races across Kentucky Downs Preview Weekend, Aug. 3-4. This stellar weekend of racing also includes the $300,000 Kentucky Downs Preview Turf Cup (Listed), $250,000 Kentucky Downs Preview Mint Millions Turf Mile (Listed), $250,000 Kentucky Downs Preview Turf Sprint (Listed), $250,000 Kentucky Downs Preview Ladies Turf Mile, $250,000 Kentucky Downs Preview Nashville Derby and $250,000 Kentucky Downs Preview Ladies Turf Sprint.
Two other featured stakes events scheduled are the $275,000 Ellis Park Derby (Listed) and $175,000 Groupie Doll (Listed), taking place Sunday, Aug. 11. The Ellis Park Derby and Groupie Doll are two of six stakes contests held that day. The others are the $175,000 Ellis Park Juvenile, $175,000 Ellis Park Debutante, $175,000 Audubon Oaks and $150,000 R. A. “Cowboy” Jones Memorial.
The Ellis Park season will begin on a Thursday-Sunday schedule but will shift to Saturday-Monday from July 13-Aug. 26.
Fans unable to make it to Ellis Park can watch live on-site coverage each day on FanDuel TV along with the Churchill Downs LIVE app on smart TVs. Special wagering promotions will be available on www.twinspires.com, the official wagering provider of Churchill Downs Incorporated.
For the latest information about racing and gaming from Ellis Park, visit www.ellisparkracing.com.
