Doncho sets 5 1/2F on turf (59.75) world record

Aug 8, 2025 Jennie Rees No Comments

Ellis Park press release by publicist Kevin Kerstein (Coady Media photo of Doncho setting world record for 5 1/2 furlongs on turf)

HENDERSON, Ky. (Friday, Aug. 8, 2025) – History was made Friday at Ellis Park Racing & Gaming when JAL Racing’s Doncho set a world record for 5 ½ furlongs on turf in :59.75, eclipsing the mark of :59.80 set by Cogburn in 2024 at Saratoga.

*Doncho setting world record under Brian Hernandez Jr. Coady Media*

Ridden by Brian Hernandez Jr. and trained by Michelle Lovell, Doncho went gate-to-wire in Race 7 to score an 11-1 upset in the allowance event.

“I’m so proud of this horse,” Lovell said. “He deserves the credit. He ran huge today and I’m so thankful he was able to get to the winner’s circle again. Breaking a record by doing so was icing on the cake.”

The 4-year-old gelded son of Mo Town now improved his record to four wins from eight starts.

The previous Ellis Park track record for 5 ½ furlongs on turf was 1:00.26, set by Totally Boss in 2019 during the Kentucky Downs Preview Turf Sprint.

Live racing resumes Saturday through Monday at Ellis Park with daily first posts at 11:50 a.m. CT.

Sunday is Ellis Park Derby Day, featuring six stakes races led by the $300,000 Ellis Park Derby presented by Hallway Feeds (Listed) and the $200,000 Groupie Doll (Listed).

The day also serves as Kentucky HBPA College Day, with scholarship prizes awarded throughout the 10-race card.

For more information about racing and gaming at Ellis Park, visit www.ellisparkowensborogaming.com.