Ellis Park Horseracing
Ellis Park is a premier thoroughbred racing facility that perfectly blends old-world charm with high-stakes excitement, located right in Henderson, Kentucky. Affectionately known as "The Pea Patch," this historic venue is celebrated for its laid-back, quaint atmosphere, making it a favorite destination for racing purists and casual fans alike.
While the vibe is beautifully relaxed, the competition is fierce. Ellis Park proudly hosts some of Kentucky's most anticipated summer stakes events, serving as a crucial proving ground for top-tier thoroughbreds.
Featured Marquee Races
- The Groupie Doll Stakes (Formerly the Gardenia Stakes) – A historic Grade III centerpiece for fillies and mares.
- The James C. Ellis Juvenile – A premier summer showcase for promising two-year-olds.
- The Dade Turf Classic – A thrilling test for elite grass runners.
- The Tri-State Handicap – A competitive tradition drawing top regional talent.
Ellis Park Main Track Records
| Distance | Horse | Age | Weight | Time | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Furlongs | Hoho Tow | 5 | 124 lbs | :56.46 | July 19, 2006 |
| 5 ½ Furlongs | Spycraft | 4 | 122 lbs | 1:02.31 | July 10, 2021 |
| 6 Furlongs | Limousine Liberal | 3 | 119 lbs | 1:07.89 | July 18, 2015 |
| 6 ½ Furlongs | Bagg O'Day | 4 | 120 lbs | 1:13.74 | July 18, 2015 |
| 7 Furlongs | Society | 4 | 118 lbs | 1:20.54 | June 24, 2023 |
| 1 Mile | Injunction | 4 | 123 lbs | 1:34.33 | August 6, 2022 |
| 1 ⅛ Miles | Seize the Night | 4 | 124 lbs | 1:47.54 | June 11, 2023 |
| 1 ¼ Miles | Route Runner | 3 | 118 lbs | 2:02.95 | June 30, 2023 |
Ellis Park Turf Course Records
| Distance | Horse | Age | Weight | Time | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 ½ Furlongs | Doncho | 4 | 122 lbs | :59.75 | August 8, 2025 |
| 1 Mile | Beach Gold | 4 | 122 lbs | 1:31.76 | August 2, 2025 |
| 1 1/16 Miles | Army Officer | 4 | 122 lbs | 1:38.09 | August 8, 2025 |
| 1 ⅛ Miles | Yaqthan (IRE) | 6 | 113 lbs | 1:44.60 | September 2, 1996 |
| 1 ¼ Miles | Idratherbeblessed | 4 | 123 lbs | 1:57.68 | July 20, 2024 |
Ellis Park History and Milestones
1922 - The racetrack now known as Ellis Park was built by the Green River Jockey Club. It was known then as Dade Park. On October 19, the first Dade Park harness race meet began. On Nov. 8, the first thoroughbred race meet began.
1923 - Bankruptcy hit the track and the only racing held at Dade Park was auto racing, which was conducted over Labor Day weekend.
1925 - horseracing returned and a 20-day summer meet ran from mid-August through Labor Day. Seven races were run daily.
1932 - The wager known as the Daily Double made its Kentucky debut on Aug. 12, the meet's opening day. On Aug. 29, track owner James C. Ellis finally won his first race.
1934 - The track's public address system makes its debut in the 26-day meet. For the first time since James C. Ellis acquired the track, it shows a profit during the meeting.
1938 - A photo-finish camera was used for the first time.
1940 - A mechanical starting gate was used at Dade Park for the first time.
1944 - Wartime racing at Ellis Park is permitted by the government.
1949 - A totalizator system was installed at the track.
1950 - The track's grandstand was enlarged by 809 seats. The number of mutuel booths on the main line is increased from 24 to 35.
1955 - The track's name is officially changed on Aug. 3 from Dade Park to James C. Ellis Park. The terrace grandstand, located adjacent to the paddock, is built. The seats in the new structure had been used at Miller Baseball Field in Owensboro, Ky.
1957 - The track's film patrol was installed.
1966 - The track's mutuel handle increased, and track officials point to the ouster of numerous bookmakers as one reason for the rising wagering totals.
1972 - Ellis Park offers race replays on closed circuit television for the first time during the 39-day meet.
1977 - Stakes races offering added money make their Ellis Park debut.
1980 - Ellis Park introduced exacta wagering on July 30.
1981 - Sunday racing was introduced at Ellis Park.
1985 - New owners took over at Ellis Park as Roger and Lila Kumar agreed in principle to purchase the track from the estate of James C. Ellis. The Kumars immediately launched a $10 milliontrack improvement program.
1987 - A 65-day meeting, one of the track's longest, featured the introduction of a $2 quinella to the wagering format.
1993 - A 1-mile turf course was completed inside the 1 1/8-mile main track, but the meeting got off to a tenuous start as the track dealt with a strike by horsemen.
1996 - A national record trifecta payout of $126,349 for $2 results was achieved on July 25 when Ask Mesach (73-1) led a parade of longshots in the seventh race.
1998 - Churchill Downs Incorporated purchased Racing Corporation of American, which includes Ellis Park, for $22 million in a deal that was finalized in April.
1999 - Capital improvements totaling $2 million were completed, including a new finish line pole, improved landscaping, a new jumbo television in the clubhouse, and new chairs in the dining rooms. Purses rise to an all-time high under first-year Racing Secretary Ben Huffman.
2000 - During its 77th meeting, the track posted significant gains in on-track attendance and pari-mutuel handle. On track attendance during the 41-day live meeting (July 11 - Sept 4) increased by 32 percent. Attendance daily averaged 2,917 and the mutual handle went up 16 percent as $373,704 was wagered daily.
2001 to present - More track attendance and handle records were broken as Ellis Park's success continued.
2001 - More track attendance and handle records were broken as Ellis Park's success continued.
2005 - On November 6, a devastating F3 tornado struck the tri-state area, causing severe structural damage to the grandstand, terrace, and barns at Ellis Park, resulting in the tragic loss of several racehorses.
2006 - Churchill Downs Inc. sold the facility to Kentucky businessman Ron Geary. Under his leadership, the racing calendar was shifted to anchor around a major July 4th opening.
2007 - Ellis Park hosted the prestigious Claiming Crown championships for the first time in Kentucky history, bringing national attention to the track's summer meet.
2012 - To revitalize the track's financial footing and bolster declining live handle, Geary sold a 30% stake to Saratoga Casino and Raceway. This partnership funded the game-changing installation of "Instant Racing" (Historical Horse Racing / HHR) electronic terminals.
2018 - Saratoga Casino & Hospitality Group acquired the remaining 70% of the track, taking full ownership of the facility and expanding electronic gaming footprint.
2019 - The track was sold to Ellis Entertainment LLC, a subsidiary of the Laguna Development Corporation, which announced a sweeping $60 million multi-phase investment plan to overhaul infrastructure, expand gaming, and widen the turf course.
2020 - The Ellis Park Derby officially became an authorized points-earning prep race on the "Road to the Kentucky Derby," awarding 50 critical qualifying points to the winner and cementing the track's status as a top-tier launching pad for elite three-year-olds.
2022 - Ellis Park celebrated its historic Centennial season. In September, Churchill Downs Incorporated stepped back into the picture, buying back the property for $79 million in cash to launch a major wave of facility renovations and purse structure expansions.
2025 - Backed by booming Historical Horse Racing revenues, Ellis Park featured a record-shattering summer stakes schedule with over $4 million in total purses across 18 marquee stakes races.