Hall Of Fame Jockey, Calvin Borel, Returns from Retirement to Race This Weekend!

The weekend gets started with Law Enforcement day on Friday. Those employed by Law Enforcement agencies and their guests can take advantage of special pricing for seats in the Clubhouse and Sky Theatre. This price also includes access to the buffet! In addition to the great food items, iced tea, lemonade, water, soda, taxes, gratuity, and programs are included! To make a reservation and to lock in these prices, please call Christina Nellis, Wednesday through Sunday between 9a – 4p, at 812-435-8905 (Since this is a special deal only open to Law Enforcement, we must have the Law Enforcement Member make the reservations for them, and their guests, to verify status). On Friday and Sunday, Frey’s Farm will be giving out melons in exchange for donations to be made to Allan Gansman (see below).

The Wiener Dog Championship is on Saturday. Our 8 finalists will compete to take home the ultimate prize, Elli the Wiener Dog Trophy. The race will take place after Race 5 (approximately 2:45 PM). Also on Saturday, we will have Hall of Fame jockey Calvin Borel out to meet and greet racing fans. The first 500 fans will get a special Calvin Borel trading card!

The weekend wraps up on Sunday with Ovie’s Day, where we will celebrate the life of Ovie Scurlock. Ovie began riding at Ellis on August 26th, 1939, when he rode a three-year-old colt, Mr. Ambassador, to a world record time of 1:39 2/5 for a mile and 40 yards. His career was interrupted during World War II when he served his country in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II. Scurlock won a number of important races of his era, such as the Lawrence Realization Stakes in New York, the Arlington Classic in Chicago, and the Pimlico Special in Baltimore. He competed in the Kentucky Derby three times and the Preakness Stakes once with his best result a seventh in both races in 1949 aboard Model Cadet. Ovie passed away this past June and we will honor his contributions to horse racing throughout the day.

Don’t forget that we will be racing on Thursday, September 1st. This is to make up for our cancellation on the 4th of July.  

Our Live Racing season will wrap up on Labor Day, Monday, September 5th, 2016. We will run Friday, Saturday, Sunday & Labor Day, September 5th. There will be no live racing on September 3rd.  Grandstand opens at 9 AM, concessions & mutuels open at 11 AM, our first post begins at 12:50PM (Central Time).