Ellis Park has announced three new team members for their historic 100-year race meet: Vince Gabbert as interim Director of Racing, Megan Devine as Paddock Analyst and Simulcast Host, and Allie Sclafani as Race Marketing Coordinator. The 100-year race meet runs from July 8 to August 28 in Henderson, Kentucky.
Vince Gabbert is a 14-year veteran of the industry, having served as Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at Keeneland Racecourse from 2009 to 2022. Gabbert had previously worked as Deputy Chief of Staff to the governor and a Regional Director of Public Finance for Ross, Sinclaire & Associates. He earned a bachelor's degree in political science and government from the University of Louisville in 1998 and studied at its Louis D. Brandeis School of Law from 1998 to 2001.
“The opportunity to work at Ellis Park and be a part of the continued momentum for Kentucky racing is extraordinary. I am very much looking forward to being a part of the 100-year celebration and working with the horsemen and staff to help deliver a wonderful race meeting,” said Gabbert. “We're excited about this year and the product we're offering. The track has made several improvements to benefit the horses, the horsemen, and the fans. With the horseplayers in mind, we're also dropping the Pick 5 takeout to 15%.”
Megan Devine, a native of Long Island, graduated from the University of Louisville's Equine Industry Program in 2014. Devine previously worked as On-Air Talent for TVG, Santa Anita Park, XBTV, America's Best Racing, Horse Racing Radio Network, TwinSpires, ESPN Louisville, Turfway Park, Kentucky Downs, Sky Racing World, and Ellis Park.
“Ellis Park was one of my first On-Air positions in horse racing back in 2016. Since then, I've had the great pleasure of working for several television channels, racetracks, and other media outlets worldwide,” said Devine. “I'm excited to take what I have learned over the last 6 years and bring it back to my position at Ellis Park. Being around the horses has always been my favorite part of the job. That's part of the reason I moved back to Kentucky in 2020. I'm thrilled for the opportunity to be an On-Air Paddock Analyst at a race meet once again.”
Allie Sclafani has worked with TVG and three racetracks in Kentucky. She returned to Ellis Park in June of 2022 to help manage all race-related marketing efforts, including Admissions, Sponsorships, Simulcast, Advertising, Events, etc.
Sclafani has already spent time at the “Pea Patch” track,
“I was at Ellis in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. At that point, we were just trying to keep her doors open. We came together then just like we're coming together now for her 100th year of racing. That's what small tracks like Ellis do. Despite all odds, we make it out together,” said Sclafani. “We're grateful to be moving forward, without restrictions, for the historic 2022 meet.”
Ellis Park will conduct live racing Friday through Sunday, from July 8 to August 28. First post will be 12:50 PM Central Time.
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