‘Win-Win’: Kentucky Commission Approves July 2 Opening Date For Ellis Park

Ellis Park on Tuesday received regulatory approval to begin its summer meet on Thursday July 2 rather than the previously scheduled Sunday June 28 opener. The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission unanimously approved the change, which includes Churchill Downs extending its spring meet one day to close on June 28.

Ellis Park general manager Jeff Inman said the track had requested the delay to have more time to institute all the safety protocols involved with staging horse racing in the COVID-19 era. Ellis Park is making up for not running June 28 by adding July 2, a date it originally had not planned to run.

“It's win-win for everybody, including the state and Kentucky horsemen picking up an additional day of racing,” Inman said.

Ellis Park will not be able to accommodate spectators in the grandstand or outdoor areas until receiving approval from Gov. Andy Beshear's office. Under the state's measures for getting businesses back in operation following the COVID shutdown, the Ellis Park clubhouse has been allowed to re-open for Historical Horse Racing on the first floor and simulcast wagering on tracks across the country on the second floor.

The dates adjustments are the latest amid the health emergency that forced Keeneland to cancel its spring meet and for Churchill Downs to open later than scheduled. Ellis Park now will run July 2-5, then be dark the following week to allow Keeneland to run July 8-12. Ellis Park then resumes its Friday-Sunday schedule on July 17, running through Aug. 30.

Ellis Park earlier gave Sept. 1-6 to Churchill Downs in order to let the Louisville track run a rescheduled Kentucky Derby Week, with the Derby on Sept. 5.

The post ‘Win-Win’: Kentucky Commission Approves July 2 Opening Date For Ellis Park appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post