Bonnie Pittman of Evansville was the winning owner-trainer as Shape of You ($31.20 to win) captured the first race [on Opening Day, June 27], a starter-allowance with an optional $10,000 claiming price, under Angel Rodriguez. Pittman predicted that Eric Foster of the Owensboro area would follow suit in the second. And, as it turned out, also the third race.

Sir Acealot ($8.40), owned by Joseph A. and Hugh D. Scates, captured the second race for $16,000 maiden-claimers by 5 1/2 lengths, to give DeShawn Parker his first Ellis Park victory in a 5,870-win career. Foster came right back with the $10,000 claimer Can’tbetemall ($4.80) and jockey Chris Landeros winning for the Scateses, Foster Family Racing and R.K. Eckrich Racing. Both races attracted the usual jammed-packed winner’s circle whenever Foster wins a race.

“It’s awesome, just awesome,” Pittman said. “It’s great to see everybody back in the stands again, and we’re ready to rock and roll. We’ve all been out here training the last few months, and I think we’re ready to go.”

“We move in early and get them ready,” Foster said after the second race. “That’s why I like to win here so much because family and friends get to come who don’t always get to go to the races. It makes it that much better.”

Parker, the leading rider at Indiana Grand last year, plans to ride regularly at Ellis Park for the first time because the two tracks don’t overlap. Ellis runs Fridays through Sundays and Indiana Grand Mondays through Thursdays…

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