KY HBPA Plans College Day at Ellis Park on July 27

“Fastest route to making a new fan is first getting them to the track”

HENDERSON, Ky. (Tuesday, July 15, 2025) — Kentucky HBPA College Day Presented by Ellis Park returns to the Tri-State racetrack on Sunday July 27 with 27 lucky full-time students winning a prize.

In partnership with Ellis Park, the Kentucky Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association will conduct three separate drawings before each of nine races to give out a $1,000 scholarship, an iPad Mini with AirPods package and a $150 Amazon gift card.

First post is 11:50 a.m. Central. Full-time students can register throughout the afternoon to be eligible for any remaining drawings.

Representatives from the University of Kentucky’s Ag Equine programs, the University of Louisville’s Equine Industry Program and the Kentucky Equine Management Internship (KEMI) are participating to provide information to current and future undergraduate and graduate students interested in a potential career in the horse industry or who want to learn more about the commonwealth’s signature tourism leader and agribusiness.

A valid college I.D. or letter of admission is required to register for the drawings, with incoming freshmen welcome. Those attending or enrolled for the fall term at a two- or four-year college, graduate school, professional school, vocational, technical, barber or another post-high school program that qualifies for federal aid are eligible. Students must register in person, be present to win and can only enter once.

“The fastest route to making a new horse-racing fan is first getting them to the track,” said Alex Foley, the Kentucky HBPA’s executive director. “This is a great collaboration with Ellis Park to invest in our future, and we’re delighted to have UK, U of L and KEMI on hand. What college student can’t use $1,000, an iPad Mini and AirPods or Amazon gift card? It’s free admission and parking every day at Ellis Park and Sunday’s are Kentucky HBPA Dollar Days with $1 hot dogs. College Day is a fun, affordable way for college students to come out with friends or family. You don’t have to know anything about horse racing to enjoy the excitement and beauty of the sport.”

Said Steve Roof, general manager, Owensboro Racing & Gaming/Ellis Park Racing & Gaming: “We’re excited to continue our support of Kentucky HBPA College Day at Ellis Park. This event reflects our ongoing commitment to education and the future of our community.”

Registration for the drawings will be held in the grandstand tunnel. The last-race drawings are restricted to full-time students who also work, or whose parent works, in the equine industry on the backstretch, a horse farm or racing-related business, including part-time and seasonal employees. Employees of Churchill Downs Inc., including Ellis Park, and their families are not eligible. Those participating in the industry drawing cannot enter the main drawings.

Ellis Park Racing & Gaming is located at 3300 Highway 41 North, Henderson KY.

More information here.

Photos below: Kentucky HBPA College Day 2024

About the UK Ag Equine Programs

The University of Kentucky’s Ag Equine Programs provide top-notch, interdisciplinary undergraduate and graduate education, world-class equine research and unmatched service to the equine industry – all in one place. Students from Kentucky, across the U.S. and, increasingly, from international points of origin enroll at UK to live and learn in the heart of horse country. There is no better place to pursue passion for the horse in a meaningful way: customizable and rigorous Bachelor of Science in equine science and management; targeted preparation for professional and graduate school opportunities; career and professionalism building enrichment activities; opportunities for sport and recreation through one of nine equine clubs and teams. UK has a culture of known research excellence with an established record of accomplishment, innovation and service going back to 1917 in the Department of Veterinary Science and its Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, the only scientific institute in the United States with nearly all faculty conducting full-time research in equine health and diseases. Additional equine research is also being done in several other departments in the college, including Animal and Food Sciences, Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, Plant and Soil Sciences, Agricultural Economics, Entomology and Community and Leadership Development. Brochure

About the UofL Equine Industry Program

The Equine Industry Program (EIP) at the University of Louisville is one of only a few undergraduate equine programs in the world housed in an AACSB-accredited college of business. Here you’ll learn the skills to develop your love of horses into a viable career. The goal of the Equine Industry Program (EIP) is to produce graduates with sound business knowledge. We’re committed to all breeds and disciplines in the horse industry. A mile and a quarter from historic Churchill Downs, UofL is distinctively positioned to offer the study of equine business. No other institution is similarly dedicated to the combination of horse commerce, enterprise, and academics. An intense, four-year program, the EIP gives students the professional skills they need to succeed in the horse industry. Courses include: horse industry overview, equine economics, equine marketing, equine law, equine taxation, organization and administration of equine operations, equine financial management and industry speaker series. The program features small class sizes, individualized advising and program planning, study abroad possibilities, and equine research opportunities.  Program website

About the Kentucky Equine Management Internship program

The Kentucky Equine Management Internship (KEMI) program is dedicated to improving the opportunities for college students wishing to pursue a career in the field of equine management. KEMI offers a comprehensive educational experience for students enrolled for academic credit through a sponsoring college or university, or for recent graduates of such institutions. Through the internship, students integrate academic studies with practical experience, leadership and responsibility as a contributing participant on a Central Kentucky horse farm. Aside from farm commitments, students are introduced into a network of equine professionals representing multifaceted careers in the equine profession. During the first week of the course, students participate in Orientation activities as a group. After the first week, students are employed full-time by participating farms where they become familiar with the day-to-day management of horses on commercial thoroughbred farms. Brochure