Heavy Rain Causes Ellis Park Cancellation
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Photo: Jennie Rees/Ellis Park
Heavy rain July 4 led to flooding at Ellis Park
Heavy rain the morning of July 4 led Ellis Park to cancel its live racing program for the Monday holiday.
A flash flood watch was in effect for southwestern Indiana and western Kentucky, where one to 5 inches of rain had fallen. Ellis Park remains open for full-card simulcasts and historical race wagering.
Ellis Park owner Ron Geary said the track hopes to add Sept. 1, the Thursday before Labor Day, to make up for the cancellation. The July 4 program traditionally attracts a large crowd.
Track superintendent Glen Thompson said he began working on the dirt surface at about 2:30 a.m. EDT, and at 9 a.m. said he would need about 75 minutes to get the track race-ready. But it continued to rain.
"The drainage system was completely overwhelmed and couldn't keep up with the large amount of rain we received in the last 12 hours," Ellis Park racing secretary Dan Bork said. "The picnic areas and the beer garden were under water as well."