Ellis Park media notes by Kevin Kerstein (Coady Media photo of Cristian Torres winning an Ellis Park allowance race aboard King’s Glory for trainer Steve Asmussen, one of four wins for the jockey Sunday)
HENDERSON, Ky. (Friday, July 12, 2024) – Jockey Cristian Torres was shut out the first two days of Ellis Park Racing & Gaming 25-day season but won four races on Sunday to lead the jockey standings. The 27-year-old jockey is poised for another busy weekend when action returns Saturday-Monday.
Torres tallied five winners through 18 mounts to start the season, leading the standings by one win over Gerardo Corrales and Jaime Torres. Last season, Corrales bested Cristian Torres by seven wins, 28-21.
Cristian Torres (Coady Media photo)
Cristian Torres will be absent Saturday due to riding engagements at Horseshoe Indianapolis but returns Sunday and Monday, where he’s named on 13 horses.
Along with the hot race in the jockey standings, the racing across Saturday-Monday will also be ultra-competitive. Saturday’s featured race is a first-level allowance contest for fillies and mares sprinting 5 ½ furlongs on turf. The lukewarm 7-2 morning line favorite is Lincoln Racing’s speedy La La Rose who will lead the field of 10 fillies and mares to post at 3:19 p.m. (all times Central) in Race 8.
Sunday’s program includes two competitive maiden special weight contests (Races 2 and 9) along with two allowances (Races 6 and 8).
The week’s action will conclude Monday with a solid nine-race card featuring three maiden special weight events (Races 4, 5, and 7) along with a competitive allowance in Race 2.
The temporary turf rail for all three days of racing will be set at 24 ft. from the inside.
Racing at Ellis Park kicks off at 11:50 a.m. each day and this week, along with the excitement on track, fans will be able to enjoy Mascot Mania on Saturday and Fab 50s on Sunday.
For the latest information about racing and gaming from Ellis Park, visit www.ellisparkracing.com.
KENTUCKY HBPA COLLEGE DAY AT ELLIS PARK SET FOR SUNDAY, JULY 28 – Kentucky HBPA College Day at Ellis Park is scheduled for Sunday, July 28 and will award a total of $9,000 in scholarships along with other great prizes such as Air Pods, iPads and Amazon gift cards.
Prizes will be announced following each of the nine races for any college student, with a valid ID, that signs up at the registration table on the concourse. Employees of Ellis Park Racing & Gaming and Churchill Downs Incorporated are ineligible.
Stay tuned to Ellis Park Racing & Gaming’s social media channels along with the Kentucky HBPA for more information.
DOWN THE STRETCH – Trainer Ron Moquett began the week needing three wins for 1,000-career victories. Moquett had three horses entered Saturday and three Monday. … The first of two Corgi and Weiner Dog races will be held Saturday, July 20. Dogs that successfully qualify during this date will move on to the finals on Saturday, Aug. 17. … Fans can get the latest handicapping advice and selections from Racing Analyst Joe Kristufek by following him on X: @JoeyDaKRacing. His daily selections will be posted here: Joe K’s Picks. … FanDuel TV will be on-site every day of the Ellis Park meet. This weekend, live coverage will be provided by Andie Biancone and AnthonyPascale. … Entries for the July 21, $125,000 Jeff Hall Memorial will be taken Sunday. Nominations are available here: Jeff Hall Memorial Nominations. … For the latest information about the 2024 racing season, follow @EllisParkRacing on X.
Jennie Rees is a communications and advocacy specialist in the horse industry who spent 32 years covering horse racing for The (Louisville) Courier-Journal before taking a corporate buyout. In addition to handling communications for the Kentucky HBPA, Rees is Kentucky Downs’ publicity director, manages in-season racing publicity for Ellis Park and serves as a consultant to the National HBPA. Other projects include the Preakness Stakes, Indiana Grand’s Indiana Derby Week and work for various HBPA affiliates and horsemen’s associations.
