Dates: July 2-Aug. 30. Fridays through Sundays, plus Thursday July 2. No racing July 10-12 during Keeneland’s make-up meet. Open seven days a week for Historical Horse Racing and simulcasting wagering on tracks around the country.
First post: 12:50 p.m. Central. Nine races a day. Gates open 10 a.m. CT.
Covid precautions: Guests must wear masks starting Monday except when eating, drinking, smoking or sitting at their reserved table and should socially distance at all times. Everyone entering the property will have touchless thermal screen.
Average daily purses: $250,000
Reserved seating: The general public must have a reserved seat to be admitted to the track for racing. Tickets can be purchased through ellisparkracing.com. Admission is through the main entrance (between the Clubhouse and grandstand), where guests will have a thermal screening.
Reserved seating the first week will be limited to the Sky Theatre (smoke-free), the Clubhouse second-floor (smoking permitted) and the Turf Club for groups of up to 25. Additional reserved seating could be phased in with grandstand boxes and picnic tables, state guidelines permitting.
Horse owners: Racehorse owners with a valid Kentucky Horse Racing Commission license and their guests may watch their race from the track apron. Admission is through the Paddock Pavilion entrance, where a thermal screening will be performed and names and contact information recorded. Media may also access the track apron and should come in through the Paddock Pavilion entrance.
Signature days: Aug. 2 – Kentucky Downs Preview Day (five turf stakes whose winners receive a fees-paid spot in the corresponding race at Kentucky Downs). Aug. 9 — RUNHAPPY Ellis Park Derby Day (five stakes headlined by the $200,000 RUNHAPPY Ellis Park Derby, whose winner receives 50 qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby)
Stakes schedule
July 5 — $50,000 Ellis Park Turf Stakes, fillies & mares 3 years old & up, 1 1/16 miles (turf).
July 26 — $50,000 Good Lord Stakes, 3-year-olds & up, 6 1/2 furlongs.
Aug. 2 (all on turf) — $100,000* RUNHAPPY Preview Turf Sprint, 3-year-olds & up, 5 1/2 furlongs; $100,000* Kentucky Downs Preview Ladies Sprint, fillies & mares 3 years old & up, 5 1/2 furlongs; $100,000* Kentucky Downs Preview Turf Cup, 3-year-olds & up, 1 1/4 miles; $100,000* Kentucky Downs Preview Ladies Turf, fillies & mares 3 years old &up, mile); $100,000* Kentucky Downs Preview Tourist Mile, 3-year-olds & up, mile.
Aug. 9 — $200,000* RUNHAPPY Ellis Park Derby (official Kentucky Derby qualifying race), 3-year-olds; 1 1/8 miles; $100,000* RUNHAPPY Audubon Oaks (official Kentucky Oaks qualifying race), 3-year-old fillies, 7 furlongs; $100,000 Groupie Doll, fillies & mares 3 years old & up, mile; $100,000* RUNHAPPY Ellis Park Juvenile, 2-year-olds, 7 furlongs; $100,000* RUNHAPPY Ellis Park Debutante, 7 furlongs. *-includes $25,000 from the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund
Allie Sclafani photo
