Ellis Park meet begins July 2, features 18 stakes
A record $4.125 million stakes schedule featuring 18 races will be offered during Ellis Park's 2026 season, which runs from July 2 to Aug. 23.
Highlighting the season is Ellis Park Summer Showcase weekend Aug. 1-2, which features seven turf stakes worth a combined $1.75 million. The two-day event includes two stakes Saturday and five led by the $300,000 Green River Island Stakes, $250,000 Pucker Up Stakes, $250,000 Sunkissed Stakes, $250,000 Tri-State Turf Sprint Stakes, $250,000 Hummingbird Stakes, $250,000 Water Tower Stakes and the $200,000 Riverside Rush Stakes.
Another marquee day on the calendar is Aug. 9, when Ellis Park Derby day will feature six stakes worth a combined $1.5 million, including the $400,000 Ellis Park Derby and $200,000 Groupie Doll Stakes. The program also includes the $250,000 Ellis Park Juvenile, $250,000 Ellis Park Debutante, $200,000 Audubon Oaks and $200,000 R.A. “Cowboy” Jones Memorial.
Half of the purse for each stakes is funded by the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund. The meet will begin racing Thursday through Sunday from July 2 to 5 and continue a Friday-Sunday schedule through Aug. 23.
| Date | Race | Grade | Distance | Conditions |
| July 4 | $175,000 Dade Park Dash | 5 1/2 F (T) | 3yo | |
| July 5 | $175,000 Pea Patch | 5 1/2 F (T) | 3yo f | |
| July 18 | $175,000 Jeff Hall Memorial | Listed | 6 1/2 F | 3yo and up |
| July 19 | $175,000 Twin Bridges | 6 F | 3yo and up f&m | |
| Aug. 1 | $250,000 Hummingbird | Listed | 5 1/2 F (T) | 3yo and up f&m |
| Aug. 1 | $200,000 Riverside Rush | 5 1/2 F (T) | 2yo | |
| Aug. 2 | $300,000 Green River Island | Listed | 1 1/16 M (T) | 3yo and up |
| Aug. 2 | $250,000 Pucker Up | Listed | 1 1/8 M (T) | 3yo f |
| Aug. 2 | $250,000 Water Tower | 1 1/8 M (T) | 3yo and up | |
| Aug. 2 | $250,000 Sunkissed | Listed | 1 M (T) | 3yo and up f&m |
| Aug. 2 | $250,000 Tri-State Turf Sprint | Listed | 5 1/2 F (T) | 3yo and up |
| Aug. 9 | $400,000 Ellis Park Derby | Listed | 1 M | 3yo |
| Aug. 9 | $250,000 Ellis Park Juvenile | 7 F | 2yo | |
| Aug. 9 | $250,000 Ellis Park Debutante | 7 F | 2yo | |
| Aug. 9 | $200,000 Groupie Doll | Listed | 1 M | 3yo and up f&m |
| Aug. 9 | $200,000 R.A. “Cowboy” Jones | 1 M | 3yo and up | |
| Aug. 9 | $200,000 Audubon Oaks | 7 F | 3yo f | |
| Aug. 23 | $175,000 Ellis Park Turf | 1 1/16 M (T) | 3yo and up f&m |