HENDERSON, Ky. — The remainder of the Churchill Downs spring meet will resume at Ellis Park in Henderson on Saturday.
The change of venue comes after 12 horses died at Churchill Downs since the meet began. The Horse Racing and Integrity Authority (HISA) is currently investigating those deaths.
Gates will open at the track at 10:00 a.m. The first race starts at 12:50 p.m. central.
Staff at Ellis Park has had about a week to prepare for the return of racing, which normally begins in early July.
“This team here at Ellis Park was more than happy to jump on board and get the ball rolling,” Matt Presley, the tracks general manager, said.
On Friday, Presley said crews are finishing up the final touches on a few things to be ready for Saturday’s race.
He adds he’s confident in the track’s racing surface.
“It’s going to be hot but we’re used to that here at Ellis Park, we run our meet in the middle of summer so nothing out of the ordinary for us here,” Presley said.
The excitement for the spring meet is also being felt by racing fans who have been coming to Ellis Park for decades. Jim Brady, of Evansville, said while he won’t make it out Saturday, he’ll be spending plenty of afternoons trackside.
“I think it’s a good thing for Ellis Park, this has been here for over 100 years now and it's a tradition for a lot of people from this area, they’re really excited about it,” Brady said.
With great weather in the forecast, all that’s left is for the gates to open in the morning.
“It’s going to be hot but we’re used to that here at Ellis Park, we run our meet in the middle of summer so nothing out of the ordinary for us here,” Presley said.
Racing at Ellis Park will be held both Saturday and Sunday this weekend. Starting next weekend, racing will go from Thursday to Sunday.