Ellis Park tinkers with four stakes
Ellis Park's 2004 stakes schedule, released Thursday, closely mirrors last year's schedule, with minor adjustments to four stakes races.
The biggest changes effect two stakes over the meet's closing weekend. The Sept. 4 Dade Park Turf Classic and the Sept. 6 Tri-State Handicap, which had short fields in 2003, were shortened from 1 1/8 miles to 1 1/16 miles, and their purses were increased from $75,000 to $100,000.
The $100,000-added Ellis Park Breeders' Cup Handicap on Aug. 14 will be extended from six furlongs to 6 1/2 furlongs. The purse for the July 10 HBPA Handicap has been reduced from $100,000 to $75,000.
Combined purses for the 11 stakes scheduled during the 54-day summer meet will total a record $1.1 million, a $25,000 increase from 2003.
The Grade 3 Gardenia Stakes on Aug. 7 is the track's premier race, and will retain its $200,000 purse. The Ellis Park meet begins July 7 and concludes Sept. 6.
| DATE | EVENT | CONDITIONS | DISTANCE | PURSE |
| Sat. July 10 | HBPA Handicap* | 3 & Up, F&M | 1 Mile | $75,000 |
| Sat. July 17 | Regaey Island* | 3 YO | 1 1/16 Miles (T) | 75,000 |
| Sat. July 24 | Don Bernhardt* | 3 & Up | 6 1/2 Furlongs | 100,000 |
| Sat. July 31 | Audubon Oaks* | 3YO F | 1 1/16 Miles (T) | 75,000 |
| Sat. Aug. 7 | Gardenia Handicap (G3) | 3 & Up, F&M | 1 1/8 Miles | 200,000 |
| Sat. Aug. 14 | Ellis Park B.C. | 3 & Up, F&M | 6 1/2 Furlongs | 100,000 |
| Sat. Aug. 21 | Anna M. Fisher Deb.* | 2YO F | 7 Furlongs | 100,000 |
| Sat. Aug. 22 | James C. Ellis Juv.* | 2YO | 7 Furlongs | 100,000 |
| Sat. Aug. 28 | Governors Handicap* | 3 & Up | 1 Mile | 75,000 |
| Sat. Sept. 4 | Dade Turf Classic* | 3 & Up, F&M | 1 1/16 Miles (T) | 100,000 |
| Mon. Sept. 6 | Tri State Handicap* | 3 & Up | 1 1/16 Miles (T) | 100,000 |
*Includes $25,000 KTDF