Ellis Park Live Racing

Horse racing fans had another reason to celebrate this 4th of July. Ellis Park opened its live race season. Its been eight years since the park was open on the fourth. And as FOX 7s Kelli Carlisle shows us, it turned out to be a winner, despite concerns about traffic on the twin bridges. Twin bridge construction didnt stop the thousands who packed Ellis Park today for the first day of the live racing season. Its the first time the park has been open on July 4th in eight years. It was part of the plan, when new owner Ron Geary purchased the place. Mark Geary: "In our negotiations with Churchill Downs, that was one of our big points of contention, we have to have July 4th back." But who to bet on? While some were busy analyzing numbers, others like Jamie Riedford and Jennifer Gueltz used a simpler strategy. Riedford & Geultz: "The best looking horse and the name we like the colors too." After losing the first race, even racing pros like horse owner Darrell Littrell, started following his wifes lead of name picking. Littrell: "Shes looking for something with sunrise, our companies name is Sunrise, so shes found her horse, shes gonna bet on it, since I threw my ticket on the ground, I think Im gonna bet with her." Big betters at the track, also have a new incentive this year. The take out on a pick four, which is four races in a row has been reduced from 22 percent to four percent. Geary: "4% goes to the tracks, so 22% usually goes to the tracks, so now theres 4%, so there more payout to the betters, they have more money to bet with after that. Even if youre not the betting kind, Ellis Park owners say its a fun place to bring the family and watch the horses run with the wind. Kelli Carlisle, FOX 7 news. Plans are also in the works for a Handicapping 101 session, that will teach you how to read a racing form or program. The season runs through Labor Day.