The racecourse of Ellis Park can be found in the town of Henderson in the state of Kentucky. Despite being in the state of Indiana, because of its location on the northern side of the Ohio River, it is still classed as being in Kentucky. Its inaugural meeting for the racing of thoroughbreds, when known as Green River, took place on 8th November 1922, although this period of racing was short lived once its owners, the Green River Jockey Club had gone bankrupt. The track was then taken over by a new owner James Ellis, who named the track Dade Park after a famous race meeting starter. On the impending death of James Ellis in 1956 the track became Ellis Park on 3rd August 1955. Today the main 9 furlong dirt track has a 358 metre home straight, but there is also an 8 furlong turf track and two separate 7 furlong and 8 furlong chutes. Its principal races are the Grade III Gardenia Handicap over a mile for fillies, and the popular Ellis Park Breeders Cup Turf over 1 1/16 miles. In 2010 the track went through a sticky period, but it came through that and did operate in 2011. |
