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  • Petionville sire of Wups 1st Thoroughbred Maiden Derby (May 23, 9th BOI). Owner, Paul Treasure; Breeder, Michael Iavarone...
  • Latent Heat sire of Heated Troubles 1st Mdn (May 24, 5th RD). Owner, Ashleigh Stud; Breeder, Ashleigh Stud, Frank Ramos & JackieRamos...
  • Hard Spun sire of Gleaning 1st Mdn (May 23, 4th PID). Owner, Robert T. Manfuso; Breeder, Nursery Place & Robert T. Manfuso...
  • Philanthropist sire of Rob the Cradle 1st Alw (May 23, 2nd WO). Owner, Andrews, Denny and Paradox Farms Inc.; Breeder, Gardiner Farms Limited...
  • Proud Citizen sire of Citizen Kat 1st Alw (May 23, 7th PEN). Owner, Midwest Thoroughbreds, Inc.; Breeder, Mark Reid & Charles Zacney...
  • Posse sire of Parody 1st Alw (May 23, 4th PEN). Owner, Midwest Thoroughbreds, Inc.; Breeder, Don Mattox & Pam Mattox...
  • Hard Spun sire of Ribbon Taffy 1st Mdn (May 23, 5th IND). Owner, Pucek, John Paul and Marcinek, Paige; Breeder, Matthew R. Herbener...
  • Yankee Gentleman sire of Little Dale 1st Alw (May 23, 7th BEL). Owner, Vaccarezza, Priscilla, Amante, Anthony and Garrity, Christine; Breeder, Philip Birsh...
  • City Weekend sire of City Sweets 1st Mdn (May 23, 3rd IND). Owner, Mast Thoroughbreds LLC; Breeder, Robert Gorham & Mast Thoroughbreds LLC...
  • Holy Bull sire of Catalan 1st Alw (May 24, 8th BEL). Owner, Elizabeth Loftus; Breeder, B. P. Walden & Dr. S. Marcum...
  • First Samurai sire of Nakano 1st Alw (May 24, 8th CRC). Owner, Thoroughbred Futures Racing; Breeder, Hubert Vester...
  • Chapel Royal sire of Mr Rodriguez 1st Mdn (May 24, 2nd BEL). Owner, Imperio, Michael and Loftus, Elizabeth; Breeder, Jill Imperio & Daniella Corian...
  • Flower Alley sire of Bouquet Booth 1st Alw (May 24, 7th CD). Owner, Right Time Racing LLC; Breeder, Brookdale & Dr. Ted Folkerth...
  • Strut the Stage sire of Head Honcho 1st Alw (May 23, 7th WO). Owner, Annecchini and D'Alimonte Holdings Inc. and Kingfield Farm; Breeder, William D. Graham...
  • Smoke Glacken sire of Walker Bay 1st Alw (May 24, 8th CD). Owner, Hammersmith, Dennis L. and Paden Racing, Inc.; Breeder, Brian O'Rourke & Derry Meeting Farm...
  • Wando sire of Deb's Girly Girl 1st Alw (May 24, 6th RD). Owner, Deborah F. Metz; Breeder, Deborah F. Metz...
  • Luftikus sire of Joyful Kiss 1st Alw (May 23, 7th CT). Owner, Winfred L. Hess, Jr.; Breeder, Ann M. Casey...
  • Jazil sire of Love Me Good 1st Mdn (May 23, 2nd PID). Owner, Sheltowee Farm and Blazing Meadow Farm; Breeder, Sheltowee Farm...
  • Mancini sire of Ride Around Sally 1st Alw (May 23, 6th IND). Owner, Joe Uliano; Breeder, Spade Stable...
  • Indian Charlie sire of Nechez Dawn 1st Alw (May 23, 7th AP). Owner, Tresner, Coby and Matsas, Alex; Breeder, B. P. Walden Jr., Hargus Sexton & SandraSexton...
  • Canadian Frontier sire of Golden Frontier 1st Alw (May 24, 3rd CD). Owner, George Fister; Breeder, Brereton C. Jones...
  • Include sire of Window Boy 1st Grover (Buddy) Delp Memorial S. (May 23, 8th DEL). Owner, Luis Arenas; Breeder, Shelby Lane Farm Inc. & IncludeSyndicate...
  • Medaglia d'Oro sire of Dealer 1st Alw (May 23, 8th CT). Owner, Coleswood Farm, Inc.; Breeder, Family Broodmare, LLC...

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Ellis Park owner considering options for 2010

Posted: Tuesday, September 08, 2009 6:31 PM

by Frank Angst

After reducing its summer schedule by 20 dates and still seeing a drop in average daily handle, Ellis Park owner Ron Geary is considering his options for 2010.

Ellis Park cited increased competition from Indiana and other racing states that supplement purses with expanded gaming in its decision to cut racing days from 48 to 28 days this summer. The Henderson, Kentucky, track saw total all-sources wagering handle fall 40.3% to $46,674,643.

Despite the cut in racing dates, the track did not fare much better in average daily handle, which fell 16.9% to $1,666,952. Geary is considering not racing at all in 2010, offering a similar amount of dates as ’09, or cutting dates further.

Geary said he is monitoring the Kentucky Legislature to see any potential movement on added gaming at Kentucky tracks as well as moves in states like Indiana, where Indiana Downs and Hoosier Park could siphon more horses from Ellis.

“I’ve said it’s a lot easier to handicap the races than it is to handicap the Kentucky Senate,” Geary said, noting that he was encouraged by the August election of Democrat Robin Webb, who supports the addition of video lottery terminals at Kentucky tracks.

Geary said Ellis will submit its request for dates to the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission by the October 1 deadline.

Faced with the potential loss of the track, local fans did support racing at Ellis this summer. Daily on-track attendance increased 22.4% to 3,698 in ’09 and on-track handle for the live meeting averaged $205,646, up 16.7%.

"I have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from our local and regional fans," Geary said. "They have been coming to Ellis Park for many, many years and are begging me to find ways to keep the track going.”

Racing leaders for the meet included trainer Buff Bradley, who finished with 11 victories. The leading owner was a tie between Elvie Cobb and Carl Short with five wins each.  Jockey Jon Court won the riding title with 33 victories while Freddie Lenclud finished as leading apprentice with 17 wins.

Frank Angst is senior writer for Thoroughbred Times

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