Ellis Park is teaming with its horsemen’s association to provide the public with a behind-the-scenes look at preparing horses for the races.

This event, called Making of a racehorse: Let’s get started!, will be held Saturday, July 30 from 7:30am-9am Central at Ellis Park. The free event will give racing fans, sports enthusiasts, horse lovers and the simply curious insight into all the preparation that goes into horses springing from the starting gate. Ellis Park starter Scott Jordan will explain the learning process as it unfolds in front of the attendees.

This is a daily-double event. The public will go from the starting gate to the barn of John Hancock, a third-generation trainer at Ellis Park, for a look and lively discussion about everything that happens in a stable in the morning.

This is a unique opportunity for people outside the racetrack to get an up-close view of morning “schooling” as well as horses having timed workouts while breaking from the starting gate. That’s because Ellis’ starting gate during morning training is positioned in its mile chute on the first turn, adjacent to the easily-accessed southern parking lot closest to the Ohio River levee.

Adults and kids of all ages are welcome. The public is invited to start at 7:00am in the parking area nearest the starting gate, with the program to begin at 7:30am. Afterward, fans are encouraged to watch Ellis Park announcer Jimmy McNerney discussing his picks for the day’s races at 9:30am in the lower clubhouse.

The event is a collaboration between Ellis Park and the Kentucky division of the Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association, which represents more than 6,000 owners and trainers in the commonwealth. The gregarious Hancock, a board member of the Kentucky HBPA, presented the idea of the fan-education event to Ellis president Ron Geary, who embraced the concept.

Information courtesy of Jennie Rees, Ellis Park publicity

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