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2012 Kentucky Racing Dates Approved

With only a slight modification from the original proposal approved previously by a committee, the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission Oct. 24 unanimously OK'd 2012 racing dates for the state's racetracks.

Geary: Ellis Park Could Lure Casino Customers

The president of Ellis Park said Oct. 24 he believes implementation of Instant Racing could attract some of the customers in the area who have been whetting their gambling appetite at a nearby Indiana casino.

Ellis Park Wants 252 Instant Racing Terminals

Ellis Park in Henderson, Ky., has submitted an application for regulatory approval to conduct Instant Racing, stipulating that it would use more than 13,200 square feet of its facility to house 252 gaming terminals.

Instant Racing Poised to Expand in Kentucky

With Instant Racing off to a successful start at Kentucky Downs, other tracks in the Bluegrass state are making plans to usher in the form of electronic gaming.

Handle Declines at Ellis Park

During Ellis Park's 31-day day race meet July 2-Sept. 5, the Henderson, Ky. track saw declines in all-source handle that were in line with the overall decrease in 2011 U.S. betting on Thoroughbred racing.

Champion Invasor Sires First Winner

Horse of the Year Invasor came through with his first winner when his daughter Wonder of It All scored at Ellis Park Sept. 5.

KY Downs' Instant Racing to be First Class

The president of Kentucky Downs said the track is nearing completion of work needed to implement a form of Instant Racing and that it will be a "first class" operation and that the opening date will be announced soon.

Groupie Doll Uses Inside Trip to Win Gardenia

Fred Bradley and Buff Bradley's homebred Groupie Doll is now a graded stakes winner, thanks to a rail-skimming trip by Greta Kuntzweiler that earned her victory in the $100,000 Gardenia Stakes (gr. III) Aug. 13 at Ellis Park.

Full Field Entered in Ellis Park's Gardenia

Taptam, one of two contenders entered by Bret Calhoun, will carry top weight of 122 pounds in the $100,000 Gardenia Stakes (gr. III), the featured race of the Ellis Park summer meet.

New Website for Handicapping Contest Players

Ellis Park Race Course, Inc., has launched HorseTourneys.com, an affiliate website that will operate a year-round, continuous online contest program to handicapping tournament players offering awards and prizes.

Some Funds Allocated for Possible KY Cup

A committee has approved use of $100,000 from the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund for several Kentucky Cup races, but it remains to be seen whether the stakes series--at least part of it--will be run.

Talkin' Horses with Donna Barton Brothers

Talkin' Horses is hosted by Ron Mitchell and Greg DePalma. This week's guests are Donna Barton Brothers, Ron Geary and Tom LaMarra for our new Handicapping segment.

Listen Now!

Johnsen: Instant Racing to Boost Industry

The president of Kentucky Downs says action by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission July 14 approving a new form of exotic wagering that uses electronic machines will provide an economic and morale boost to the industry.

KTDF Revenue Decline of Concern to Panel

Members of an advisory committee that oversees the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund expressed concern June 8 over diminishing revenue for the program as well as one racetrack's suspension of full-card simulcasts.

Flooding Delays Training at Ellis Park

Ellis Park director of operations Bob Jackson said in spite of the Kentucky River flooding around the facility a week prior to the Kentucky Derby, simulcast numbers were not significantly affected.

Plan to Save Turfway Training Falls Short

An effort by Kentucky horsemen to keep Turfway Park open for off-season training and stabling has failed, meaning the Northern Kentucky track will close its barn area in mid-April.

KY 2011 Racing Dates: Maintaining Status Quo

After two years of major cutbacks in live racing, Kentucky's Thoroughbred racetracks are hoping for some stability and are maintaining the status quo in their requests for 2011 dates.

KY Trainer Mattingly Suspended 90 Days

Stewards at Ellis Park have suspended trainer James E. Mattingly for 90 days after a horse he trained tested positive for two prohibited substances and he was found in possession of syringes and hypodermic needles.

Ellis Park Reports Solid Numbers for Meet

Unlike 2009, when purses and live racing days were cut, Ellis Park reported solid numbers for its 27-day meet that ended Sept. 6.

Experiment With Fewer Dates Continues in KY

Another experimental year continues in Kentucky as Ellis Park wraps up its summer meet and Turfway Park prepares for a scaled-down session with only one stakes.

Evenly-Matched Gardenia Draws 10

Larry Richardson's Midway Holiday, a winner of three of six lifetime starts, is one of a pair of 3-year-old fillies entered in a wide-open edition of the $100,000 Gardenia Handicap (gr. III) Aug. 14 at Ellis Park.

KY Hopes Talk of Aid for Racing Legitimate

On the heels of a successful opening weekend at Ellis Park comes word of a few initiatives that, if they come to fruition, could generate or repurpose revenue for Kentucky racing. But will it be enough?

Ellis Park to See Increase in KTDF Money

Ellis Park will offer higher purses for some Kentucky-bred horses under a plan approved by the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund advisory committee.

Kentucky Trainer Bobby LaRue Dies

Bobby LaRue, a veteran Kentucky trainer, died Jan. 3 at a Henderson, Ky., hospital.

Ellis Park to Suspend Simulcast Operations

Ellis Park officials said Oct. 27 the racetrack will shut down after Nov. 8 and suspend simulcast operations until April 1, 2010. The move affects 75 full- and part- time employees at the Western Kentucky track.

Commission OKs Reduced KY Racing Schedule

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, on the advice of one of its committees, Oct. 27 approved 2010 racing dates for all three breeds, including a 25% cut in Thoroughbred racing.

KY Tracks Request Big Cut in Racing Dates

The harsh competitive environment in which Kentucky racing finds itself was on displayed in black and white Oct. 26 when a subcommittee of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission considered applications from Thoroughbred racetracks that signal a drastic reduction in live racing dates for 2010.

Local Support Buoys 2009 Ellis Park Meet

Ellis Park, the western Kentucky racetrack that's on the fence for 2010, reported healthy gains in on-track business but a big drop in total handle after 20 days were cut from its 2009 meet.

KY Horse Industry Proves Threat Not Hollow

Following the June demise of expanded gambling in the legislature, representatives of Kentucky's horse industry vowed to take a more aggressive role in statehouse campaigns. The industry's involvement in a special state Senate election in eastern Kentucky Aug. 25 is proving the threat wasn't hollow.

Hoosier Park Decides to Increase Purses 12%

Hoosier Park Racing & Casino will raise purses 12% beginning Aug. 19, citing a "conservative approach" taken with the purse account when the meet began in late July.

KEEP Hosting Rally to Promote Ellis Park

With Ellis Park considering closing its doors, the Kentucky Equine Education Project is organizing a "Forever Ellis!" rally Aug. 22 at the racetrack as a way for horse industry enthusiasts to show their support for the nearly 90-year-old facility and the entire equine industry in the state.

Ellis Gets OK on Dates, Keeneland on Purses

Ellis Park got the official OK to add five days of racing to its current meet, and Keeneland will be permitted to change the way it divvies up purses in each race.

Successful Ellis Park Meet to Add Five Dates

The future of Ellis Park beyond this year is questionable, but it appears the Kentucky racetrack's current meet has a good chance of being expanded.

Trainer William Connelly Gets 1,000th Win

Trainer William Connelly saddled his 1,000th career winner July 17 at Ellis Park when Button Dancer romped to victory in the first race.

Funny Cide to Appear at Ellis Park Opener

Funny Cide, the popular 2003 Kentucky Derby (gr. I) winner, will greet fans at Ellis Park on opening day, Saturday, July 11.

Delaware Park Expecting Kentucky Stables

With the end of the Churchill Downs spring meet July 5, Delaware Park is expecting an influx of Kentucky horsemen who are seeking more opportunities than will be available at Ellis Park.

Ellis, Turfway Balance Hope, Hard Decisions

Ellis Park owner Ron Geary said June 24 it's too soon to say a commitment from the racing industry and legislators to fight for racetrack gaming will keep his track open beyond the 2009 season. Meanwhile, Turfway Park and the Kentucky Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association plan to sit down soon to devise a plan that could include reductions in purses and racing dates for future meets.

Racetrack Gaming Bill Headed to KY House

The Kentucky House Appropriations and Revenue Committee June 18 sent racetrack gaming legislation to the full House of Representatives for consideration.

KY Senator Suggests Instant Racing

Kentucky Sen. Damon Thayer, who sponsored the legislation that resulted in Kentucky's Breeders' Incentive Fund, has inquired about another method of garnering funds for the state's Thoroughbred industry.

Racing Cutbacks at Two Kentucky Tracks

Facing the harsh realities posed by a weak economy and stiff competition from racetracks in nearby states with more lucrative purses boosted by alternative gaming, two Kentucky tracks April 7 received permission to cut their live race dates this year.

KY Budget Woes Could Aid Racetrack VLTs

With the Kentucky General Assembly seemingly headed for a special session this spring or summer to address a substantial revenue deficit, a legislative committee March 12 heard testimony on a bill that would authorize video lottery terminals at racetracks in the state.

Kentucky Racing Industry 'at Risk'

Representatives of two Kentucky Thoroughbred tracks said they will be forced to reduce racing dates due to declining economic conditions, with the owner of Ellis Park saying his track would not race in 2010 unless alternative gaming is legalized in the Bluegrass State.

KY Horsemen Make Case to Legislators

More than 100 people who make their living in the Kentucky horse industry made their case to three Northern Kentucky legislators Feb. 16, and the message was clear: The economics must change or the state will lose a valuable asset.

Cracks in Foundation of Kentucky Racing

SPECIAL REPORT: Horsemen who call Kentucky home year-round are taking a beating, and they predict even more owners and horses will leave the state. Whether there will be legislative relief any time soon, however, remains to be seen.

Pat Day to Aid Riverside Trainers

Hall of Fame jockey Pat Day will be a guest speaker at Ellis Park Dec. 13 at noon to present aid and auction a personally autographed saddle with the proceeds benefiting the trainers who lost horses and their equipment in the Nov. 20 Riverside Downs fire.

Ellis Park, Others Squeezed by Indiana

Hoosier Park Racing & Casino and Indiana Downs have submitted requests for 2009 schedules that could significantly impact surrounding states.

KY Identifies Problems, But Needs Money

The Governor's Task Force on Racing in Kentucky is close to preparing and releasing a report pinpointing problems and offering recommendations that ultimately will require a lot of money -- something in short supply given an ongoing budget crunch.

Ellis Handle Drops, But Geary 'Content'

Ellis Park ended its annual racing meet Sept. 1 with a 3% drop in daily handle, despite broader signal distribution to advance deposit wagering outlets.

Closing Day Robbery at Ellis Park

A routine closing day at Ellis Park Sept. 1 turned eventful when three men robbed some pari-mutuel clerks following the last race at the Henderson, Ky. racetrack.

Swift Temper Pulls Gardenia Shocker

Swift Temper, who was 2-for-18 lifetime and had not won since February 2007, pulled off a shocker in the $150,000 Gardenia Handicap (gr. III) Aug. 16 at Ellis Park, romping to a 4 1/2-length victory under Victor Lebron at odds of 21-1.