Ellis Park

Racing was cancelled at Ellis Park for Sunday after the track's receiving barn caught fire and burned down in the early morning hours. No humans were in the barn at the time and reportedly all seven horses stabled there were able to be rescued by nearby grooms. "Thankful to say that the three horses we had in the receiving barn at Ellis Park were removed safely by a couple grooms on the backside," trainer Jason Barkley tweeted. "Can't thank them enough for jumping into action and saving our horses as...

In a bizarre incident Saturday at Ellis Park, 2-year-old filly Bold and Bossy (Strong Mandate) got loose in the post parade prior to the first race after unseating rider Miguel Mena, ran off the track, and went on a merry tour of U.S. 41N, Interstate 69, and Veterans Memorial Parkway. She made it quite a distance, crossing state lines from Kentucky into Indiana, before being caught and returned via horse ambulance to the Ellis Park barn area, where the state veterinarian immediately began administering fluids and additional treatment. In spite...

6th-Ellis, $51,000, Msw, 8-20, 2yo, f, 6 1/2f, 1:15.87, ft, 4 1/2 lengths. MATAREYA (f, 2, Pioneerof the Nile--Innovative Idea {GSW, $229,343}, by Bernardini), whose dam's signature win came in the 2016 GIII Groupie Doll S. here, was coupled in the wagering at 9-5 with Brendan Walsh-trained fellow Godolphin homebred  Dreamalot (Ghostzapper). Straight to the front, the bay doled out splits of :22.09 and :45.07 and turned for home in command. Dreamalot came with a fence run and briefly looked like she'd give Matareya a challenge, but the front-runner shut...

Sponsored by Alex Nichols Agency 1st-SAR, $100K, Msw, 2yo, 6 1/2f, post time: 1:05 p.m. ET While the GI Alabama S. takes centerstage later on in the program, the Saturday lid-lifter at Saratoga looks a key race in prospect, with any number of booming pedigrees and lofty pricetags on display. Peter Leidel signed the ticket at an even $1 million for RAYMOND (Into Mischief) at Keeneland September last fall, with the colt's breeder Stonestreet Stables staying in for a share. The Apr. 21 foal is the third foal to the...

'TDN Rising Star' Carribean Caper took the next step Sunday to earn her first stakes win and fourth victory overall from as many trips to the post. An eight-length romper at Fair Grounds Feb. 13, the dark bay had an easy time with first-level optional claiming foes at Keeneland Apr. 2, and resurfaced from a freshening to clear another condition here July 10. Favored in the wagering over formidable foe Magic Quest--who had run faster than Carribean Caper in her last two, both wins--she tugged her way up in between...

Verylittlecents (Goldencents) survived an objection to lead home a one-two finish for her sire in Sunday's Runhappy Ellis Park Debutante S.. Fourth behind GIII Schuylerville S. heroine Pretty Birdie (Bird Song) in her Churchill unveiling June 18, the :10 flat OBSMAR breezer broke through by daylight second out going five panels here July 11, good for a standout 70 Beyer Speed Figure. Right to the front under Joe Talamo, the bay doled out splits of :23.19 and :46.30 while going easily. They stacked up behind her rounding the bend, and...

6th-Ellis, $51,000, Msw, 8-13, 2yo, 1m, 1:35.96, ft, 4 1/4 lengths. GUNTOWN (c, 2, Gun Runner--Fun House {Broodmare Of The Year, GSW, $432,922}, by Prized) added to his freshman sire (by Candy Ride {Arg})'s red-hot run, becoming Gun Runner's 10th winner right on the heels of a pair of graded stakes wins for the Three Chimneys inmate last weekend and a strong showing at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale earlier in the week. A $750,000 buyback last September, Guntown rallied for third after a rough start going seven furlongs here July...

5th-Ellis, $51,085, Msw, 8-8, 2yo, 6f, 1:09.79, ft, 2 3/4 lengths. FREELANCER (c, 2, Medaglia d'Oro--Libreta {SW, $128,660}, by Girolamo) joined Baladi (Pioneerof the Nile) as the second juvenile Godolphin homebred unveiled on Ellis Park's card Sunday by Brendan Walsh to graduate at first asking. Sent at 16-1 from the outside gate, Freelancer rushed up to duel with Blue Kentucky (Include) for the lead with the two exchanging head decisions at the :22.41 quarter mark and the :45.36 half-mile mark. The bay took over for good with two furlongs to...

3rd-Ellis, $51,000, Msw, 8-8, 2yo, 6f, 1:10.87, ft, 5 1/2 lengths. BALADI (c, 2, Pioneerof the Nile--Dancing House {GSW & GISP, $450,825}, by Tapit), sent off at 11-1, was among a pack of horses chasing the early pacesetter down the backstretch before rushing up to take the lead after a quarter in :23.55. He began inching away without being asked after a half in :46.75 and skipped clear down the lane before finishing geared down and 5 1/2 lengths in front. Let My People Go (Pioneerof the Nile) was second....

Ellis Park will host "a conversation" between Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas and Eclipse Award-winning trainer Dale Romans Saturday, Aug. 14. Called "D. Wayne and Dale: A Conversation," the event will see the two charismatic personalities interview each other, tell stories, and take questions from the public. Third generation Henderson horseman John Hancock will introduce the pair. "We wanted something special for the public as a prelude to Ellis Park Derby Day," said Jeff Inman, Ellis Park's general manager. "Wayne is on the short list for the all-time...

Sponsored by Alex Nichols Agency 1st-DMR, $70K, Msw, 3yo/up, 5 1/2fT, post time: 7:00 p.m. ET Bred in Australia by the renowned Arrowfield Stud, KAZUHIKO (AUS) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) was purchased for a joint third-highest price of A$1.7 million (US$1,211,760) at the 2019 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale by a partnership including Spendthrift Farm, Kennewell Racing and Group 1 Bloodstock. Trained by Lloyd Kennewell, the Sept. 1 foal was the subject of major betting support ahead of his debut in the G3 National S. at Adelaide's Morphettville Racetrack in South Australa...

Sponsored by Alex Nichols Agency WELL-BRED FILLIES DEBUT AT ELLIS 3rd-ELP, $51K, Msw, 2yo, f, 1 1/16mT, 2:46p.m. Brad Cox saddles a well-related firster in Godolphin homebred ALREADY CHARMING (More Than Ready). Her dam Alluring Miss (Shamardal) is a half-sister to MGISW and top sire, the late Scat Daddy (Johannesburg); GSW & GISP Antipathy (A.P. Indy); and stakes winners Grand Daddy (Johannesburg) and Lovestruck (Tapit). Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas also unveils a nicely bred juvenile filly in Surprising (American Pharoah). Out of SW & GSP Harriett Lane (Giant's...