Ellis Park meet begins July 2, features 18 stakes

Photo: Ellis Park / Coady Media

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

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