About Ellis Park

Ellis Park is situated in Henderson, Kentucky, close to Evansville Indiana and hosts thoroughbred racing.  The track does well at keeping its old fashioned charm in what is an easy-going atmosphere.

Despite the tranquil feel of the place however, racing is frenetic and high quality with some of Kentucky’s most important stakes races run at the venue (list below).

Ellis Park is 120 miles from Louisville, Kentucky, the home of the Kentucky Derby and is an important part of racing in the state despite the fact that had the states been split according to the way the Ohio River now runs in the modern day it would actually sit in Indiana.

Ellis Park History

A place of historical interest, Ellis Park was built by the Green River Jockey Club way back in 1922 and initially held harness racing.

Having been acquired by a new owner in 1925, the track which was then known as Dade Park began to improve as a tote board was installed alongside a new grandstand and other facilities.  After decades of mixed success, the track was renamed Ellis Park in 1954.

After the track was sold out of the Ellis family in 1985, more renovation was done before it was moved on to the Racing Corporation of America in 1989, who in turn sold it to Churchill Downs in 1998.  They handed the facility over in 2006 to Ron Geary.

With closure a real possibility in 2008 owing to a dispute over revenues gained from simulcast racing, a deal was eventually struck and, to much relief among horsemen and fans alike no doubt, the track continued to trade and remains a strong entity.

Ellis Park Track Details

The dirt track at Ellis Park is a little larger than most at 9 furlongs, a move which came about after it was designed to emulate the surface at Saratoga in New York.  There are chutes to accommodate seven furlong and one mile races and the mile-long turf course sits to the inside of this.

Biggest Races

Important stakes races at Ellis Park include:

Ellis Park Turf Stakes – 3yo+ fillies and mares, a mile and half a furlong on turf ($50,000, July)
Don Bernhardt – 3yo & over, 6½ furlongs ($50,000, July)
Groupie Doll (Grade 3) – 3yo+ fillies and mares, one mile ($100,000, August)
Cliff Guilliams Handicap – 3yo & over, a mile and half a furlong on turf ($50,000, August)
Ellis Park Juvenile – 2yo, seven furlongs ($75,000, August)
Ellis Park Debutante – 2yo fillies, 7 furlongs ($75,000, August)

Wager At Ellis Park With TVG!

Now you know all about the track in Kentucky, don’t forget you can wager on races there with TVG.  Head to our schedule page to check out the latest race times then bet and watch live!

Address

3300 US-41, Henderson, KY 42420, USA

Contact

info@ellisparkracing.com