KY HBPA College Day Sunday July 28

HENDERSON, Ky. (Wednesday, July 17, 2024) — Kentucky HBPA College Day Presented by Ellis Park returns to the Tri-State racetrack on Sunday July 28 with 27 lucky full-time students winning a prize.

In partnership with Ellis Park, the Kentucky Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association will conduct three separate drawings before each of nine races to give out a $1,000 scholarship, an iPad Mini with AirPods included and a $150 Amazon gift card.

Every qualified student who registers will receive a $10 voucher for food and beverage (excluding alcohol) while supplies last. First post is 11:50 a.m. Central. Full-time students can register throughout the afternoon to be eligible for any remaining drawings.

A valid college I.D. or letter of admission is required to register, with incoming freshmen welcome. Those attending or enrolled in two- and four-year colleges, graduate school, professional school, vocational, technical, barber and other post-high school programs that qualify for federal aid are eligible. Students must register in person, be present to win and can only enter once. 

“Kentucky HBPA College Day Presented by Ellis Park is an important investment in our future in addition to being a heck of a lot of fun,” said Alex Foley, Executive Director of the Kentucky HBPA. “The best way to make a new horse-racing fan is to first get them to the track, where they can experience up close the beauty and excitement of racehorses in action — and maybe come away with a new iPad Mini and AirPods or $1,000. We encourage not only students of all ages but their families to come and enjoy the races in Ellis’ affordable and family environment.”

Said Matt Pressley, General Manager of Ellis Park Racing & Gaming: “We are thrilled to support Kentucky HBPA College Day at Ellis Park again this year. We remain committed to empowering future leaders in our community through this scholarship program.” 

Registration for the drawings will be held in the grandstand tunnel. The last-race drawings are restricted to full-time students who also work in, or whose parent works in, the equine industry on the backstretch, a horse farm or racing-related business, including part-time and seasonal employees. Employees of Churchill Downs Inc., including Ellis Park, and their families are not eligible.

Those participating in the industry drawing cannot enter the main drawings.

Sunday also is Kentucky HBPA Dollar Day, featuring $1 hotdogs and $2 draft beer. The Kentucky HBPA, which represents racehorse owners and trainers at the state’s five thoroughbred tracks, underwrites the weekly promotion in conjunction with Ellis Park.

Ellis Park Racing & Gaming is located at 3300 Highway 41 North, Henderson KY.

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.