Horsemen teaming with Ellis for College Day, fan education

HENDERSON, Ky. (Thursday, July 20, 2017) — Free laptops and scholarships for lucky college students this Sunday. A weekly behind-the-scenes look at what goes into producing racehorses for fans of all ages starting this Saturday.

The Kentucky division of the Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, the commonwealth’s leading thoroughbred horsemen’s association, is teaming with Ellis Park this weekend to present two popular programs. Sunday will be the annual giveaway where full-time college students have the chance via drawing to win a Dell laptop and case after each race, courtesy of the Kentucky HBPA. In an embellishment this year, the horsemen’s association also is partnering with Henderson County businesses to provide $1,000 scholarships after each race to a different student.

Students must be full-time and accepted for admission at the fall term of two- or four-year institutions, technical school, beauty school or other institution qualifying for federal student financial aid are eligible.

This Saturday marks the return of the family-friendly “Making of a Racehorse: Let’s Get Started,” which will run every Saturday through August. The free fan-education program begins at 7:30 a.m. Central, with the public invited to simply show up in the south end of the Ellis Park parking lot (past the clubhouse and closest to the Ohio River bridges), where the starting gate is positioned for morning school in the mile chute leading into the first turn.

Ellis Park starter Scott Jordan and his crew will explain how horses are taught to break from the starting gate, and how even older horses go back for refresher courses. When horses aren’t in the gate, kids can stand in the starting gate for pictures. Afterward, the program relocates to the backside, where a changing cast of racing participants and officials will discuss various parts of readying horses for the races or an aspect of launching and overseeing racing.

“We want to be part of the solution to growing the sport,” said Kentucky HBPA executive director Marty Maline. “We want the next generation to be comfortable coming to the racetrack, to understand that whatever your knowledge level, you can have a good time – but that the more you learn, the more fun the sport becomes. And Sunday, if you’re a college student, you can win a new Dell Inspiron laptop or get $1,000 toward your college tuition.

“Starting this Saturday, we’re very pleased to be bringing back ‘Making of a Racehorse,’ which last year was the brainchild of Kentucky HBPA board member John Hancock. We want the public see up close the care and preparation that goes into these horses and to learn everything that goes into putting on horse races. When they do, people are fascinated and it doesn’t take much more to make them a fan who wants to come back for the races.”

“Making of a Racehorse” runs about two hours, providing fans plenty of time to attend the Saturday morning handicapping program “Inside Track with Joey K. and Jimmy Mac,” where paddock analyst Joe Kristufek and announcer Jimmy McNerney give their picks for that day’s card. The seminar is 10:30-11 a.m. Central in the clubhouse’s second-floor Gardenia Room. The event is free, with programs, coffee and donuts provided at no cost to those in attendance.

The Henderson County and Ellis Park-affiliated businesses participating in the scholarships with the HBPA are (in order of race sponsorship) Sportech, Ellis’ tote-system provider; Ed Utley Jr. Inc. beer and beverage distributor; Sunrise Tool & Die; Morris Tool & Die; Randall H. Sellars CPA; Best-One Tire & Service; Bruce Woodring Auto Sales & Leasing; Ellis Park, and Hancock Racing Stables. The scholarship and laptop for the ninth race will be awarded to an Ellis Park or backside employee in college.