Ellis Park Season Begins July 2

Top-class Thoroughbred racing returns to Ellis Park Racing & Gaming on Thursday, July 2, when the Henderson oval opens its 25-day summer season featuring many of the sport's leading trainers and jockeys, along with a full lineup of fan events. The meet will begin with a special Fourth of July weekend celebration honoring America's 250th birthday. Racing will be conducted Thursday through Sunday, July 2-5, before continuing on a Friday-Sunday schedule through Aug. 23. Daily first post is 11:50 a.m. CT. The racing season will be highlighted by Ellis Park Summer Showcase Weekend, July 31-Aug. 2, which features seven turf stakes worth a combined $1.75 million. The three-day weekend, themed "Celebrate the Decades," will relive the 1970s, '80s and '90s while showcasing the $300,000 Green River Island Stakes presented by Sterling Industrial (Listed), $250,000 Pucker Up Stakes (Listed), $250,000 Sunkissed Stakes presented by Sterling Industrial (Listed), $250,000 Tri-State Turf Sprint Stakes (Listed), $250,000 Hummingbird Stakes (Listed), $250,000 Water Tower Stakes presented by Sterling Industrial and the $200,000 Riverside Rush Stakes. Several of the sport's top riders are expected to compete throughout the summer, including many of last year's top 10 riders: Jaime Torres, Brian Hernandez Jr., Axel Concepcion, Luan Machado, Cristian Torres, Edgar Morales, Florent Geroux and Mario Gutierrez, along with newcomers Ben Curtis and Danny Sheehy. In the trainer ranks, Steve Asmussen will return to defend his Ellis Park training title against several of last year's leading trainers, including Brendan Walsh, Brad Cox, Brian Lynch, Kenny McPeek, Mike Maker and Joe Sharp. Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert also is expected to have a strong presence at the meet with a full barn of horses based at Churchill Downs. Fans can enjoy a variety of themed weekends throughout the summer, along with live music after the races every Saturday beginning July 11. Ladies Weekend is scheduled for July 10-12, followed by Jockey's Weekend on July 17-19 and Family Weekend on July 24-26, which includes Wiener and Corgi Qualifying Races on Sunday, July 26. Another marquee weekend takes place Aug. 7-9 during College Weekend, culminating with Ellis Park Derby Day on Sunday, Aug. 9. The six-stakes program worth a combined $1.5 million is anchored by the $400,000 Ellis Park Derby presented by Hallway Feeds (Listed) and the $200,000 Groupie Doll Stakes (Listed). The card also includes the $250,000 Ellis Park Juvenile presented by Claiborne Farm, $250,000 Ellis Park Debutante, $200,000 Audubon Oaks and $200,000 R.A. "Cowboy" Jones Memorial. College Day presented by the Kentucky HBPA will also be celebrated throughout the afternoon with prizes and giveaways for students. Community Weekend is set for Aug. 14-16 and will conclude with the Wiener and Corgi Racing Finals on Sunday, Aug. 16. The season wraps up Aug. 21-23 with Bourbon, Beer & BBQ Weekend, celebrating the flavors and traditions of Kentucky while closing out the summer racing season. Each Saturday, the Kentucky HBPA will present a $200 Best Presented Horse Award to the groom of the best turned out horse in every race on the program. Dollar Days presented by the Kentucky HBPA return every Sunday throughout the meet with $1 hot dogs, beer, popcorn and ice cream available for fans. Horseplayers can watch and wager on all the action on www.twinspires.com, the official wagering provider of Churchill Downs Incorporated. Track announcer Tony Calo will return for his third season behind the microphone, while racing analyst and morning line oddsmaker Joe Kristufek returns for his seventh season providing expert selections. For a complete racing and events calendar and to purchase reserved tickets, visit EllisParkOwensboroGaming.com.