Ellis Park Closing? Oh, Hell No!

Okay, I realize this may not be the most interesting post ever put up on this site.  You may never have been to Ellis Park, and if you don’t know much about horse racing, there’s a good chance you’ve never heard of it either.  Ellis Park is in Henderson, KY and is the home to the only live horse racing in Kentucky from Independence Day through Labor Day.  I was born in Henderson, have family there, and visit multiple times a year.  I try and catch live racing at Ellis Park at least once a year.  It’s the home to a lot of revenue for the town of Henderson and was even rebuilt after a tornado came through a few years ago.  This place is holds a lot of memories for me.  I’ve been there with lots of family members, and I’m pretty sure a few times when I was just an infant, my uncle took me there when he was supposed to be watching me.  Is there any wonder why I have a gambling problem now?  Anyways, Ellis Park is closing its doors as of tomorrow.  From ellisparkracing.com:

A disagreement between two outside parties will close the 86 year old Ellis Park due to lack of available revenues. According to Ron Geary, owner of Ellis Park, “Ninety percent of our revenues come from off track, internet and television broadcast wagering. The leadership of Kentucky HBPA [Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association] has an ongoing dispute with these ADWs [advanced deposit wagering companies] and Ellis Park is caught in the crossfire.”

86 years of racing… down the drain.  And I am pissed.  I know we’re not the most read site in the world, but if this strikes any sort of chord in you… write President Bush, or call your Congressman, or at the least just agree that this fucking sucks.

[ Ellis Park Racing ]

And let’s be honest, this is the first post I’ve put up in months that didn’t have a picture of a hot chick showing cleavage; so this must really mean something to me.