Thu Jul 3 10:44:50 2008

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Ellis Park forced to close

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Henderson, KY (Sports Network) - Ellis Park, which is across the Ohio River from Evansville, Indiana, has been forced to close and will not open for the season on Friday, July 4. Racetrack owner Ron Geary made the announcement in a press release Wednesday night.

"90-percent of our revenues come from off track, Internet and television broadcast wagering," Geary noted. "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."

Geary purchased Ellis Park in 2006 from Churchill Downs. He filed a restraining order in federal court on Tuesday, July 1 to stop the Kentucky HBPA from blocking the Ellis Park signal.

"It is shocking to think that the KHBPA would choose to close down Ellis Park rather than take advantage of the additional revenue already negotiated with the ADWs for 2008," Geary continued. "They know it and they don't care. All the KHBPA is focused on is hurting the ADWs this year so they can negotiate a higher percentage next year. What they are doing is a scorched earth strategy with huge collateral damage to the Tri-State."

Thursday morning the KHBPA put out a statement concerning the closing of Ellis Park.

"Several weeks ago, the KHBPA approached Ron Geary to discuss our concerns with the small percentage that the advanced deposit wagering (ADW) companies are paying toward horsemen's purses. We explained that in Kentucky we are competing against racetracks that have the benefit of other forms of gaming and have been fueled by slot enriched purses. The only alternative is to receive more revenue for betting on Ellis Park's simulcast signal through the ADWs."

"Ron Geary, instead of working toward a reasonable solution, decided to sue the KHBPA and, in a sense, force us to take the deal he had made with the ADWs. We objected, which is our right, and a federal judge ruled in favor of the KHBPA's stand late yesterday."

The dispute with the horsemen has affected all racing in Kentucky. Churchill Downs has seen its revenues decline this year.

Located on an island in the Ohio River, Ellis Park was built in 1922 and operated thoroughbred racing for 86 consecutive years. The track was nearly destroyed by floods in 1937 and by tornadoes in 2005.