LEXINGTON, Ky.—The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) will be highlighted at Ellis Park on Sunday, July 17th, 2022. As Ellis Park kicks off their 100th season of racing, the 2022 Runhappy Meet will feature 14 stakes races, including the Ellis Park Turf Stakes presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance.
The Henderson, Kentucky-based track will sell t-shirts throughout the meet with 10% of profits donated to the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, courtesy of Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale, CEO of Gallery Furniture and owner of Runhappy.
Ellis Park will also offer “Runhappy Dollar Days” every Sunday of racing, with $1 hotdogs, $1 popcorn, and $2 beer.
Three-year-old and up fillies and mares will go eight and a half furlongs on the turf for $75,000 in Sunday’s Ellis Park Turf Stakes presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. A presentation of a TAA blanket and swag bag will be made to the winning connections following the running of the race.
“Ellis Park is known for our two-year-old program and being the training ground for up-and- coming equine talent,” said Ellis Park General Manager, Jeffrey Inman. “We share the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance’s concern that Thoroughbreds are taken care of throughout their career and into their retirement and honor the tireless work they perform. We are proud to support the TAA and to partner with them in hosting the Ellis Park Turf Stakes on July 17.”
“We are so excited to be back at Ellis Park for another exciting day of racing,” said TAA Funding and Events Manager, Emily (Dresen) Scandore. “We are grateful for the platform Ellis Park is providing the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance to raise awareness on the importance of accredited aftercare.”
About the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance
Based in Lexington, KY, the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that accredits, inspects, and awards grants to approved aftercare organizations to retrain, rehome, and retire Thoroughbreds using industry-wide funding. Along with continued funding from its original partners Breeders’ Cup, The Jockey Club, and Keeneland Association, the TAA is supported by owners, trainers, breeders, racetracks, aftercare professionals, and other industry members. Since inception in 2012, the TAA has granted more than $24.5 million to accredited aftercare organizations. Currently 82 aftercare organizations comprised of approximately 180 facilities across North America have been granted accreditation. To learn more about the TAA, visit ThoroughbredAftercare.org.
Ellis Park Press Release
Photo by Jenn Smith
