Ellis Park Race Course facts for kids

Ellis Park is a famous thoroughbred horse racetrack located near Henderson, Kentucky. It sits along US 41 between the Twin Bridges and Evansville, Indiana. This track is owned and run by Churchill Downs Incorporated, which also owns the well-known Churchill Downs track.

Even though Ellis Park is north of the Ohio River, which usually marks the border with Indiana, it is still part of Kentucky. This is because the state border was set based on where the river was in 1792.

The Story of Ellis Park

How Ellis Park Began

Ellis Park was first built in 1922 by a group called the Green River Jockey Club. It started with short horse racing events. In November 1922, it held a 10-day thoroughbred race meeting. These races offered prize money, called purses, to the winners.

These early races were a stop for horses traveling south for winter racing. However, the track faced challenges. In 1925, after three years, the Green River Jockey Club went out of business.

James Ellis Takes Over

Later in 1925, a businessman named James C. Ellis bought the track. At that time, it was called Dade Park. Mr. Ellis made many improvements. He added a special board, called a tote board, to show betting information. He also built a new grandstand for people to watch the races.

In 1954, the track was renamed Ellis Park in his honor. James Ellis passed away in 1956.

Changes and New Owners

After James Ellis, his nephew, Lester E. Yeager, took charge. Under his guidance, new areas for horses and jockeys were built. A new clubhouse and stable areas were also added.

In the mid-1960s, Ruth Adkins became the leader. She managed the estate that still owned the track. In 1985, the track was sold to Roger and Lila Kumar. They added a sky terrace and helped bring in new betting laws in Kentucky.

The track changed hands a few more times. It was sold to the Racing Corporation of America in 1989. Then, in 1998, Churchill Downs Incorporated bought it.

Facing Challenges and Rebuilding

In November 2005, Ellis Park faced a big challenge. A tornado caused a lot of damage to the track. Sadly, some racehorses were lost during this event.

In 2006, a Kentucky businessman named Ron Geary bought Ellis Park from Churchill Downs. He changed the racing schedule to start on the Fourth of July. The 2007 season was special because it hosted the Claiming Crown for the first time in Kentucky.

In 2008, there was a disagreement about how money from simulcast wagering (betting on races shown on TV) should be shared. For a short time, Ellis Park announced it would close. But a deal was quickly made, and the track reopened.

In 2009, Mr. Geary announced a shorter racing schedule. He mentioned that the track had less prize money and fewer horses compared to other places. However, Ellis Park continued to operate for the 2010 season and beyond.

New Investments and Ownership

In 2012, Ron Geary sold a part of Ellis Park to Saratoga Casino and Raceway. This money helped install new Instant Racing machines. Saratoga later bought the rest of the track in 2018.

In June 2019, Ellis Park was sold to Ellis Entertainment. This company had big plans to invest $60 million. They planned to build a new historical racing facility, make the turf course wider, add lights to the track, and improve the barns and restaurants.

Important Races at Ellis Park

Ellis Park hosts several exciting races. Its most famous race is the Groupie Doll Stakes, which is a Grade III event. Other important races include the Ellis Park Breeders' Cup Turf and the Governor's Handicap.

The Ellis Park Derby became very important in 2020. It became a qualifying race for the famous Kentucky Derby. The winner of the Ellis Park Derby earns 50 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.

Return to Churchill Downs Ownership

On September 15, 2022, Churchill Downs Incorporated announced it would buy Ellis Park again. The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission approved the purchase soon after. The sale was completed on September 26, 2022. This purchase also included a future gaming and simulcasting facility in Owensboro.

In June 2023, Churchill Downs moved its spring-summer racing meet to Ellis Park. This decision was made due to concerns about horse safety at Churchill Downs.

Track Features

Ellis Park's design was inspired by the Saratoga Race Course in New York. It has a dirt track that is 1.125 miles (1.8 km) long. There are special sections, called chutes, for races that are seven furlongs (1.4 km) and one mile (1.6 km) long.

In 1993, a one-mile (1.6 km) turf course was added. The entire facility covers 210 acres (0.85 km2). It has a grandstand with 6,000 seats and 38 barns for the horses. Ellis Park is one of only two tracks in the country with a one-mile (1.6 km) chute that turns at a 90-degree angle by the first turn. This chute is like the Wilson Mile Chute at Saratoga Race Course.