Ellis Park in Henderson, Kentucky, will conduct its 36-day meet in 2006
despite being damaged by a tornado on November 6.
“We still have much work to do in the aftermath of the tornado, but we are
confident that Ellis Park will be in good shape for its 2006 meet,” said Steve
Sexton, president of Churchill Downs and Ellis Park. “Although our assessment
and plan for repairs at the track are ongoing, we want to assure employees,
horsemen and local business and government leaders that we plan to have the
track up and running for its summer meet.”
Sexton said that repairs are underway on areas of the track that suffered
less serious damage, such as the grandstand roof, racing office and several
barns. Plans are in the works to fix more seriously damaged areas, including the
paddock, jockeys’ quarters and track rail, although the status on 11 barns that
were destroyed and the grandstand Turf Terrace remains uncertain. There were no
serious injuries among the track and stable employees on duty the night of the
storm, but three Thoroughbreds were killed.
Ellis is scheduled to run from July 19 through September 5.