Building on last year’s momentum after hosting the final weeks of the Churchill Downs meet and a successful regular schedule, Ellis Park has once again achieved significant improvements in key metrics during its 2024 summer racing season. This progress highlights Kentucky’s ongoing efforts to establish a robust year-round racing circuit.
Ellis Park reported a 20% increase in all-sources handles, reaching $72.7 million over 25 race days—up by $12.2 million from last year’s 24-day meet. When compared to the 23-day meet in 2022, this year’s handle surged by over $23 million. This rise in wagering aligns with larger field sizes and higher-quality races, driven by Kentucky’s booming historical horse racing (HHR) gaming and enhanced pari-mutuel numbers.
"When you have a nine- or 10-race card, with several good 2-year-old maiden races and a couple of allowance races, it just makes the product more appealing," Palmisano said. He also emphasised the importance of the grass course, where four or five races were held daily, contributing to the meet's overall success.
Additionally, approximately 200 horses were shipped from Turfway Park, another CDI-owned track, to compete at Ellis Park, nearly equalling one starter per race. With 228 races held this summer, Ellis Park's paid purses totalled $15,458,288, an 8.9% increase from last year. The average purse also rose to $67,800, up from $65,373 in 2023. This increase in purses, coupled with the flexibility of training and racing options within the Kentucky circuit, has proven attractive to horsemen.
Palmisano noted the advantage for horsemen in Kentucky, who can remain based in Northern Kentucky and participate in races across the state without relocating. Despite Ellis Park's purses trailing behind summer boutique meets like Del Mar and Saratoga, the Henderson, Ky., track outpaced venues like Gulfstream Park and Hawthorne Race Course.
Ellis Park and Colonial Downs, both owned by CDI, offer similar average purses, with Ellis at $67,800 and Colonial at $67,951. With a new satellite HHR facility set to open in Owensboro, Ky., in early 2025, Ellis Park is expected to see further growth in purses and possibly expand its racing schedule from three days a week to four.
Palmisano and Ellis Park General Manager Matt Pressley expressed pride in the meet's results and community support. "We are thrilled with this year’s meet, both in terms of record-breaking handling and outstanding race quality," Pressley said. "Our success is due to the dedication of our staff, horsemen and women, horseplayers, and the local community. With continued investments from Churchill Downs Incorporated, Ellis Park is poised for ongoing growth and success."