Geary pleased with Ellis Park meet

Geary pleased with Ellis Park meet

Ellis Park concluded its most ambitious meet in track history on Labor Day.

As promised by owner Ron Geary, the track returned to its traditional

Independence Day opening, offered an innovative new wager, and hosted a national

racing event -- the Claiming Crown.

The Claiming Crown's first trip to Kentucky was a smashing success. Despite

sweltering heat, more than 6,600 fans turned out for a 12-race card,

and they set a wagering record.

"There was so much to be proud of on

Claiming Crown Day," Geary said. "But breaking the handle record was a tribute

to industry cooperation."

Both TVG and HRTV offered wagering on the event, which set an all-time handle record

of $4.9 million.

Ellis Park also gained national attention with a wagering innovation

hailed as "the most bettor-friendly wager in America." The track offered a Pick 4

with a 4 percent takeout. The wager set a single-day record of more than

$86,000, and was usually double the normal Ellis Park Pick 4

pool. It also helped to raise wagering pools in races associated with the bet.

Ellis Park, which welcomed a new group of corporate sponsors, including Old

National Bank and Toyota Motor Manufacturing, also launched a family-friendly "Early

at

Ellis" program and hosted an appearance by the Budweiser Clydesdales.

Business was strong in numerous areas during the meet. With 10

extra racing days, which included an overlap with Churchill Downs, total

wagering by Ellis Park on-track patrons rose from $12,487,068 to $14,632,036 --

17 percent increase. All-source handle totals were $95 million compared to $88 million

a year ago, good for an 8 percent increase.

Even though on-track handle showed gains, all-source wagering (comparing 36 days

in 2007 versus 36 days in 2006) on Ellis Park live racing decreased by

approximately 10 percent, a figure attributable to the loss of TVG, YOUBET.com and

other distribution sites outside the United States.

"If you look at losing the

halo effect on being part of Saratoga-Del Mar programming on TVG as well as

losing some key off-shore betting sites, it's understandable how we could be off

10 percent," Geary said. "Anytime you have a dramatic change in distribution

like we had this year, you are going to see some negative effects on your

handle."

Attendance during the meet was solid despite one of the

hottest summers on record and road and bridge projects that affected traffic

patterns.

"We started off with a record-setting opening day crowd (7,088) and

closed with a great holiday weekend," Geary said. "And we would have

gone well over 7,000 fans on Claiming Crown Day -- if Mother Nature would have

been more kind to us."

Ralph Martinez won the leading trainer title by saddling 22 winners -- all for leading owner Louis D. O'Brien. Orlando Mojica ran away with

the leading jockey crown by booting home 59 winners. Dylan Williams was the

leading apprentice rider with 28 victories.

"When you look at the national attention, the solid business numbers, and the

innovations we championed for the average handicapper, we couldn't be happier

with the 2007 meet as well as the future for Ellis Park," Geary said.