Notable Ellis Park Racing Events

• G3 Gardenia - 3-year-olds & up fillies & mares going 1 mi.
• Don Bernhardt - 3-year-olds & up going 6.5f
• Cliff Guilliams Handicap - 3-year-olds & up going 1-1/16 mi. on turf
• Ellis Park Turf - 3-year-olds & up fillies & mares going 1-1/16 mi. on turf

History of Racing at Ellis Park

Officially based in Henderson, Kentucky, Ellis Park was first imagined as a stop-over for horseplayers on their way to the winter session in New Orleans. That turned out to be a bad business move, and the track was forced to shut down after just three years.

Local businessman James Ellis bought the track – then known as Dade Park – in 1925. Ellis not only built an impressive grandstand, he also introduced pari-mutuel wagering. The facility was renamed in honor of James Ellis in 1954 before his untimely passing in 1956.

Those that oversaw the Ellis estate eventually sold the track in the 1980’s. It would continue to pass through a few different groups before eventually landing with Churchill Downs Incorporated.

Most recently, Ellis Park was purchased by Ron Geary, who took over in July 2006. Geary has fought for larger purses and more financial support from the governing bodies of Thoroughbred racing to keep Ellis Park in business. In 2012 Geary sold a 30% stake in the track to Saratoga Casino and Raceway for $4 million in part to help fund the installation of Instant Racing machines. In 2018, Saratoga purchased the remaining 70%. Today the track is owned by Ellis Entertainment, a subsidiary of Laguna Development Corporation based in New Mexico.

Today the track remains open and offers an entertaining summer schedule for fans in the area. The fact that the track straddles the border between Kentucky and Indiana helps bring in a substantial amount of business that has helped Ellis Park remain a fixture in racing.

Though the address of Ellis Park is Henderson, Kentucky, Ellis Park is actually located on the Indiana side of the Ohio River by the Twin Bridges. Originally opened in 1922 as Dade Park, the race track is 204 acres and has seen both Harness and Thoroughbred racing in its storied history. The track's current name was officially changed in 1954 and stems from longtime owner James C. Ellis. One of the few female general managers of a North American horse race track was Ruth Adkins, who made countless improvements to the facility and racing calendar. The track was also the site of the first Claiming Crown, a day of stakes events that celebrate the backbone of the horse racing industry.

AMENITIES AT ELLIS PARK

The fun at Ellis Park doesn’t stop at horse racing, they also offer over 125 instant racing machines, combining the excitement of horse racing and the fun of video wagering! All raced out? Grab a bite to eat at one of their awesome restaurants, like Lucky Joe’s Bar & Grill or the Sky Theatre. Ellis Park is also happy to offer their catering and hosting services for private parties and events.