Ellis, Churchill to overlap for one day

Ellis Park opens its 30-day summer meet on July 2, meaning there is a one-day overlap in the state’s racing schedule. Ellis, as always, will race in the afternoon on that Saturday, while Churchill will host an evening card. Ellis then will race July 3 and 4, with the first stakes, the $50,000 Ellis Park Turf, set for July 9.

Ellis, owned by Louisville businessman Ron Geary, has hired Jennie Rees, the longtime former racing writer for the Louisville Courier-Journal, as a part-time communications consultant. The result will be more publicity out of Ellis than in prior years, including a media event held this week at the track.

Among the latest announcements from Ellis is the hiring of Megan Devine, a graduate of the University of Louisville equine program, as the television racing analyst. Jimmy McNerney remains the race-caller.