HENDERSON CO., KY (WFIE) -
The remnants of Hurricane Isaac dampened the final weekend of Live Racing at Ellis Park yet the 2012 meet still produced increases in average attendance, average on-track handle and all source handle.
Average daily attendance in 2012 was 3,690 compared to 3,611 in 2011 an increase of 2.5%.
Daily on track handle for 2012 was $200,349 compared to $188,143 in 2011, an increase of 6.5%. Total all source handle averaged $1,425,838 per day in 2012 compared with $1,264,276 per day in 2011 an increase of 12.7% per day.
As encouraging as these increases are, with the almost non-stop rain for the final 3 days of the meet, they could have been even better.
"We were poised to post some truly stellar numbers" Ron Geary Owner and President of Ellis Park said, "but the tremendous amount of rain the area received during the Labor Day weekend held us down those last 3 days."
Starters per race were 8.4 in 2012 compared to 8.1 in 2011. Another number that took a slight dip in the last 3 days, as all Turf Racing the entire Labor Day weekend was switched to a sloppy main track resulting in numerous scratches.
Racing stars for the meet include trainers Michael Maker and Timothy Glyshaw who each saddled 8 winners. There was also a tie for leading rider as Corey Lanerie and Brian Hernandez Jr. each booted home 25 winners. The leading owner was Jack Frost with 5 wins, and apprentice Ivan Cruz was the leading "Bug Boy" with a total of 9 wins for the season.
Event highlights for the meet included Wiener Dog races that were expanded to two days of "Trials" leading to a Championship race on July 21. Proceeds from the Wiener Dog races benefited The Evansville Arc, Warrick Humane Society, and Holly's House.
"It is great to be able to put on such a fan favorite as the Wiener Dog Races and raise money for worthy local charities at the same time" said Vice President of Marketing John Harty. "We moved the Wiener Dog Races to the middle of the card and it proved a big hit" Harty continued. "Our largest on track crowd of the year was Sunday July 14, one of the Wiener Dog race days".
Other popular promotions included Camel and Ostrich races, KY HBPA College Laptop Computer giveaway day, KY Lottery Mug Giveaway day, the Cigar Lunch, and Ladies Day.
"This year we made every Sunday Dollar Day sponsored by the KY HBPA and that was a big hit too" Harty continued.
Ellis Park faces many challenges with so many states now offering Casino Gaming enhanced purses.
The last several years have been challenging for Ellis Park and other Kentucky Thoroughbred tracks.
However, with Ellis Park opening 187 Instant Racing Machines, it is anticipated that purses for the summer of 2013 as well as the number of race days will be increased.
Copyright 2012 WFIE. All rights reserved.
