Ellis Park

C&H Diamond Racing LLC & Baccari Racing Stable's Dream Quist (Nyquist) improved significantly on the stretch out at Ellis Sunday to become the first winner for her freshman sire (by Uncle Mo). A debut fifth as the favorite sprinting in the Churchill slop June 28, the $265,000 Fasig-Tipton October yearling was off as the 5-2 second choice this time but was bumped from both sides leaving the gate. She moved up in between horses to sit perched in third and tugged her way up to challenge the pacesetter heading for...

Girl Daddy, sent out by the same connections that have used the Pea Patch in recent years as a springboard to launch the careers of graded stakes-winning juveniles Not This Time (Giant's Causeway) and Dennis' Moment (Tiznow), turned heads on debut Friday to earn the 'TDN Rising Star' distinction. The $500,000 KEESEP buy displayed a fairly unassuming Churchill worktab for a typically patient conditioner, but took some tote attention to be off at 9-5--longer than only fast-working fellow firster Malibu Bird (Malibu Moon). Flat-footed at the start, the grey rushed...

Sponsored by Alex Nichols Agency HALF TO GIRVIN DEBUTS AT ELLIS 3rd-ELP, $37K, Msw, 2yo, 1m, 2:46p.m. Winchell Thoroughbreds went to $525,000 to acquire the well-related MIDNIGHT BOURBON (Tiznow) at Keeneland September and he makes her career bow in this test. The bay is a half-brother to GI Haskell S. winner Girvin (Take of Ekati), GSW Cocked and Loaded (Colonel John) and MGSP Pirate's Punch (Shanghai Bobby). TJCIS PPs   SON OF CURVY MAKES CAREER BOW IN SOCAL 1st-DMR, $50K, Msw, 2yo, 1mT, 5:00p.m. Richard Mandella unveils the son of...

PRICEY HARD SPUN FILLY DEBUTS AT ELLIS 8th-ELP, $37K, Msw, 3yo/up, 6f, 5:10p.m. Susan Moulton's $560,000 KEESEP buy SARAH JOE (Hard Spun) makes her career bow in this test. Her unraced dam Castilla (Afleet Alex) is a half to MGISW Spain (Thunder Gulch), who is the dam of GSW & GISP Plan (Storm Cat). This is also the family of MG1SW Pleascach (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}). TJCIS PPs

A surge in positive Coronavirus tests among jockeys was met on Tuesday with a flurry of new movement-related restrictions at Thoroughbred tracks from coast to coast in an effort to keep the pandemic from spreading further. For the industry in general, any sizable spike in COVID-19 positives among participants will almost certainly trigger another wave of racetrack shutdowns. But for jockeys specifically, the balance of maintaining safety under pandemic precautions often comes down to treading a fine line between protecting one's health versus protecting one's livelihood. Since the end of...

Ellis Park Racing & Gaming has increased track and racing protocols/testing requirements, effective immediately. All jockeys and valets must have a negative COVID-19 test result taken prior to being admitted to Ellis Park. Once a negative test is reported, they will not need additional testing unless they leave the local area, Kentucky or ride/race at another racetrack. All backside entrants, including jockeys who do leave the local area or the state of Kentucky after their initial test, will be required to provide a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 48...

Ellis Park Racing & Gaming has increased track and racing protocols in compliance with Governor Andy Beshear's order requiring facial coverings to be worn at all times in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Ellis Park has been requiring masks for all patrons since July 6--three days earlier than the official government mandate. All employees and backside personnel have been required to wear masks since the June 8 reopening of the racing and gaming operation. "Governor Beshear's actions will make it easier for us to keep our guests, our team, and the...

Ava's Grace, a filly from the first crop of Laoban, was the second juvenile of the day to provide a son of Uncle Mo with their winner, following Garoppolo, who became the first victor for Outwork Friday at Belmont. Dipatched at 6-1 in this career bow, the bay kept close tabs on the leader from a ground-saving fourth through a :22.96 first quarter. Posing a challenge as the half went up in :46.58, she wore down Sariah Sariah (Tonalist) late to win by a half-length. Laoban, who was also campaigned...

Sponsored by Alex Nichols Agency HALF TO LA VERDAD DEBUTS AT ELLIS 4th-ELP, $37K, Msw, 2yo, 5f, 3:14p.m. FUEGO CALIENTE (Will Take Charge), a half-brother to the late champion La Verdad (Yes It's True), makes his career bow in this spot for Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen. His fleet-footed half-sister won 11 black-type races and an Eclipse Award over her lengthy career for Linda Rice, earning over $1.5-million. The bay succumbed to colic in May after producing her fourth foal, a colt by Into Mischief. Out of SP Noble Fire...

Tickets for reserved seating for the RUNHAPPY Summer Meet at Ellis Park, conducted from July 2 to Aug. 30, are available at www.ellisparkracing.com. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, racetracks may host up to 50% capacity and general admission seating will not be available to spectators for the meet, with the exception being horse owners. Spectators are required to have a ticketed seat, with food and beverages delivered by servers to designated seating areas. The Dade Park Grill on the first floor of the Clubhouse will be the only...

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission voted unanimously Tuesday to approve a July 2 start to the Ellis Park racing season. The meet had originally been scheduled to begin June 28 and Tuesday's vote also approved the extension of the Churchill Downs meeting by one day to now end on the 28th. 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...

In an effort to ensure that all health and safety protocols are in place, officials at Ellis Park in Henderson, Kentucky, announced that they are moving back the scheduled opening day of the season from June 28 to July 2. "We were going to be open one day and then be dark for three days, before picking back up on July 2," said Jeff Inman, Ellis Park's general manager. "Just waiting until July 2 gives us additional valuable time to institute all the safety protocols involved with staging horse racing...