Sunday will be Sam Elliott’s final day as director of racing at Parx. On Tuesday, he will begin a new phase of his career as the chief executive of the Royal Saint Lucia Turf Club, an under-construction racetrack scheduled to open in the eastern Caribbean in 2019. Elliott, who has been at Parx Racing a little more than three years, is taking a leap of faith that the project will succeed. He has yet to visit Saint Lucia, a 35-mile-long island nation northwest of Barbados and south of Martinique that is much closer to Venezuela than the United States. “I’ve always liked international racing and always kind of wanted an international post,” Elliott said. “I’m ready for something challenging. It’s going to be exciting.” While moving to Saint Lucia to open a racetrack sounds risky, the project is well funded. Elliott’s new employer is Desert Star Holdings, an affiliate of the deep-pocketed China Horse Club, which will be represented in the Kentucky Derby by Justify and Audible. The China Horse Club is an Asian-based lifestyle, business, and Thoroughbred racing club that offers members elite international travel and cultural experiences. According to its website, members also have “investment opportunities across a range of industries, including real estate, commercial business, elite thoroughbred stallions and mares, as well as racehorse prospects.” The Saint Lucia Turf Club is part of a $2.6 billion resort complex that will include hotel, casino, residential, and retail development. The island’s deepwater port will be expanded to accommodate the newest and largest cruise ships. Elliott met Teo Ah Khing (toe-ah-king), the chairman of the China Horse Club, in September when the CHC ran Abel Tasman in the Grade 1 Cotillion at Parx. He has since accompanied him to the Breeders’ Cup, Pegasus World Cup, and Florida Derby. “We talked about general plans in Saint Lucia, and he said, ‘I think it would be a good idea if you came to work here,’ ” Elliott said. Elliott’s first task at the Royal Saint Lucia Turf Club will be to oversee construction of the racing surface, barns, and grandstand. A major part of his job will be recruiting horses from South America, the United States, and Europe to race there. Elliott, 60, has held many positions in the sport. He was the vice president of racing at Suffolk Downs from 2008 to 2014, the last true season at the Boston-area track. Under Elliott’s watch, Parx has made notable progress. Although much remains to be done – think high-definition television, lower takeout, and a revised wagering menu – during the last three years, updates have been made to the paddock, walking ring, and winner’s circle, a safety rail has been installed, and the inside part of the racing surface has been leveled. “Now you can come up the rail,” Elliott said. “Nobody used to do that.” Parx averaged 8.15 horses per race last year, and the Bensalem, Pa., track had average daily handle of approximately $1.6 million. According to Elliott, “It’s up about a horse per race since I came here.” Average handle was about $1.3 million in 2014, he said. The Pennsylvania Derby was recognized as a Grade 1 last year after the 2016 edition drew five horses who were Grade 1 winners or went on to win a Grade 1 – Connect, Cupid, Exaggerator, Gun Runner, and Nyquist. “I view recruiting as a year-round job,” Elliott said. Although it has yet to be determined how many days the Royal Saint Lucia Turf Club will race in 2019, opening day is tentatively set for Chinese New Year, Feb. 5. The China Horse Club is planning a large celebration. “My leaving has nothing to do with Parx,” Elliott said. “I’ve enjoyed my time here. But I’m glad to have this opportunity and am ready to try something different.”