Horse Racing

[SkeBallLarry]

Churchill completes sale of Ellis Park to businessman Geary

By Gregory A. Hall
[e-mail]
The Courier-Journal



Kentucky's summer home for thoroughbred racing switched hands yesterday as Churchill Downs Inc. completed the sale of Ellis Park in Henderson to Louisville businessman Ron Geary.

"To me it's a very thrilling day because it's now truly the beginning of a new and exciting future, I think, for Ellis Park," Geary said yesterday.



The new owner said he's shooting for the end of the year to make some changes at the Western Kentucky track.

"We're still working on our plans and thoughts about kind of rebranding Ellis Park and … what that's going to look like," he said.

At that point, Geary said, he likely would switch the track from Churchill's customer reward program, the Twin Spires Club, "to get an independent rewards program that we think is tailored to our type patron."

The Ellis sale was announced in July, just before its summer meet started. Geary managed the track for Churchill throughout the meet, which concluded Labor Day.

Louisville-based Churchill bought Ellis in 1998 from Racing Corp. of America, beginning an expansion era that took it from a two-track operation to one of the largest racetrack companies in the country.

The sale leaves Churchill with five tracks in five states: the flagship in Louisville, Arlington Park near Chicago, Calder Race Course near Miami, Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans and Hoosier Park in Anderson, Ind.

Financial terms of the Ellis sale were not disclosed.

Geary retired this year as chief executive of Louisville-based ResCare, although he remains its chairman.

This week, the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority approved a 46-day summer meet for Ellis.

During it, Ellis will play host to the 2007 Claiming Crown, a Breeders' Cup-like event for claiming-horse owners.

The dates include a five-day overlap with Churchill's spring meet.

The overlap, which gives both tracks racing during the week of July 4, was negotiated as part of the sale.

Also under the deal, Ellis' races will continue to be part of the Churchill Downs Simulcast Network.

Reporter Gregory A. Hall can be reached at [phone].