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 Claiming Crown at Ellis Park Shatters Handle Record August 5, 2007 -- Henderson, KY -- There were several close finishes in Old National Bank Claiming Crown races at Ellise Park on Saturday, August 4, but the wagering was a runaway as all-sources handle for the event was a record $4.9 million – easily surpassing the previous record of $3.6 million. Local rider Miguel Mena and Kentucky-based Mike Maker took three of the seven stakes races – with the Mena-Maker combination accounting for two wins. “One of our goals was to break the handle record,” asserted track owner Ron Geary, “and thanks to the betting public and the cooperation with the advanced deposit wagering industry – we exceeded our expectations.” Both TVG and HRTV carried the event live and offered wagering in an unprecendented show of compromise that, in the eyes of Geary, benefited all parties. Geary commented, “They stepped up to the plate and put the bettor first, and we thank them for their spirit of cooperation.” Bargainwiththedevil kept close to a surprisingly slow pace to draw away by 8 1/4 at the wire over favorite Kenai River and Western Revenge in the $50,000 Unbridled Spirit Claiming Crown Iron Horse Stakes. Golden Hare increased his winning record to 13 wins from his last 14 starts in winning by a length over Implicit and Cool Lover in the $50,000 Sysco Claiming Crown Express Stakes. The largest single payout of the day came in the $75,000 Kentucky HBPA Claiming Crown Glass Slipper Stakes when longshot Adore You paid $100.60 to win. The favorite, Mama’s Temper, finished second, with Sumneytown finishing up the trifecta. Unplugged won out in a thrilling finish in the $100,000 Toyota Claiming Crown Tiara Stakes, nosing out Heathersdaddysbaby and Westward Miss in a dive to the finish. Neverbenndancin’ and Lookinforthesecret were one and two nearly the whole way in the $75,000 Daily Racing Form Rapid Transit Stakes, with Neverbeendancin’ prevailing by a head. Korbyn Gold finished third. One Eyed Joker flew from eighth place to nab the $100,000 Pepsi Claiming Crown Emerald Stakes over Habaneros and Great Bloom. The three horses created a $5,126.20 trifecta. The $150,000 Old National Bank Claiming Crown Jewel Stakes looked like it belonged to the California invader Semi Lost at the top of the stretch, but Miami Sunrise pulled even and pulled away to win by 1 ¾ lengths. Kings Challenge rallied for third. Despite the brutally hot weather, a solid crowd of nearly 6,610 attended the first Claiming Crown to be hosted in Kentucky. “We want to thank our sponsors of the day, Old National Bank as our presenting sponsor – and Toyota, Kentucky Tourism, Pepsi, Sysco, Daily Racing Form and the Kentucky HBPA – for helping each race have a title sponsor,” said Geary. “And we want to thank our fans for braving the heat and supporting racing at Ellis. We’ll give them an even better show the next time we host the Claiming Crown!” Racing continues at Ellis Park through Labor Day. Click Here to Return to News Page
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