Ellis Park was acquired this week by good guy Ron Geary, who helped me get my first job. Geary who has been successful in a variety of capacities in his career retired from the business world to do what he loves to do the most.
Go to the Track everyday.
Geary started from scratch a successful CPA firm, was a Secretary in the State Cabinet along with college roomie Bruce Lunsford, owner of First Samurai/Madcap Escapade/Vision & Verse among others. Geary later returned to the Private Sector to build a successful Public Company. Probably his best accomplishment was making it to consecutive Finals the last two years in Vegas in the NTRA/DRF Handicapping Contest. Joining a very select group. Mall being one of them.
Geary is a sharp business man, politically savvy, highly commited to his faith and has a passion for playing the horses. Kentuckys version of Steve Crist.
Ex-KFC chickenman gopher Larry Townsend finagled a Ceasars Boat across the river from Louisville and made millions. Geary runs in the same circles.
I\'m betting he can do what Churchill couldn\'t do first. When he recently announced his retirement, I think he was doing what he loves to do best. Making his next Big Bet.
Sounds like a pretty good deal and timely . KY racing has come down a couple pegs in recent years and in the broadest terms , the industry generally seems to be following a similar trend . To a large degree , as goes Kentuckey Racing , so goes Racing everywhere else .
Geary seems to be in the right place at the right time ...