Ellis Park ready to open despite water truck issue

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Last year, it was rocks in the track. This year, it was no water truck for a week.

But with that latest glitch behind them, officials at Ellis Park expect things to go off without a hitch when the 29-day summer meet starts Thursday at “the Pea Patch” in the western Kentucky town of Henderson.

The truck used to maintain moisture in the racing surface broke down June 18, and it wasn’t until Thursday that a replacement had been secured by Ellis management.

Trainer John Hancock, based year-round at Ellis, said Friday that he and other horsemen are “very satisfied” with the surface, which was the subject of controversy prior to the 2013 meet when rocks had to be picked out of it.

“The track is better than it’s been the last four or five years,” said Hancock.

Ellis mostly will race on a three-day schedule, except for four days for opening and closing weeks. The meet runs through Labor Day, Sept. 1.

“Purse-wise, we’ll be very similar to last year by giving away about $140,000 a day,” said Ellis Park racing secretary Dan Bork.

Among the jockeys expected to excel at Ellis Park is 17-year-old apprentice Juan Saez, who already has ridden four winners since he made his U.S. debut June 19 at the Churchill Downs meet that ends Sunday.