Horse racing is quite popular in the United States, but it is not like the buzz from the Kentucky Derby in every state. When it comes to Nebraska, this state has always laid low in terms of horse racing popularity, but at least it is continuous when it comes to the sport’s popularity
The best way to find out whether or not horse racing is popular in a certain country is to look for all the best horse racing tracks that they have to offer. This speaks a lot about the culture, history, and popularity of the sport in that location.
If a state doesn’t have many horse racing tracks, or most of them are abandoned, it means that horse racing didn’t really catch on.
With Nebraska the situation is different. The state has a rich history with the sport and has a few quite popular places where horse racing enthusiasts gather.
History of Horse Racing in Nebraska
Most people are surprised to find out that horse racing has a rich history in Nebraska. In fact, it dates back to the 19th century. Early newspaper accounts, such as the Omaha Daily Bee in 1889 highlight the popularity of horse racing in the state, and they went to that point where they organized a race between horses and bicycle riders.
In fact, this one was around the same time (a couple of years later) from the first Kentucky Derby in 1875. Since then, there have been many Kentucky Derby winners and despite horse racing being popular in Nebraska at the same time, the sport didn’t really maintain its popularity.
The peak of horse racing’s popularity in the state came around the 1980s with the Ak-Sar-Ben racetrack being the top attraction for equine lovers. But the fairytale of horse racing as a sport in Nebraska quickly came to an end, since the sport lost most of its popularity as we entered the 2000s.
The number of races in 2001 was around 100, which is not a lot, and it continued to drop to half of that by 2021. The popular Ak-Sar-Ben track which was once the jewel of horse racing in Nebraska was demolished in 2005.
However, in recent years, people started to get interested in the sport yet again.
Why? After the approval of ballot initiatives legalizing private gaming in 2020, the interest in horse racing suddenly increased. There are many talks about building new horse racing tracks.
“All of a sudden you have a bunch of communities who don’t give a darn about horses saying, ‘Hey, we love horses!’” said Pat Loontjer, director of a project that opposed gaming legalization in the state.
This is all good news for horse racing lovers, just because it seems like the state of Nebraska will once again become a hub for horse racing events.
They currently have a couple of horse racing tracks, but in order to attract more visitors and make the sport popular again, they need more high-end racetracks that are suited for modern-day horse racing.
Popular Horse Racing Tracks in Nebraska
Fonner Park
Imagine galloping into the heart of Nebraska, where Fonner Park stands as the reigning champ of horse racing tracks.
Since 1953, this venue has been a springtime haven for horse racing aficionados, offering around 30 live racing days from February through early May. The $75,000 Gus Fonner Stakes, a mile and a sixteenth race, is the track’s crown jewel event, drawing crowds and excitement alike.
Agricultural Park
Next, let’s trot over to Agricultural Park, affectionately dubbed Ag Park. Since 1942, this multi-purpose fairground has been thrilling race-goers. It’s not just about the races; with over 1000 horses accommodated, the park buzzes with horse shows and livestock fairs.
Ag Park’s racing calendar might be more modest with 16 live racing days, but the excitement is just as grand.
Horsemen’s Park
Horsemen’s Park, a newer contender in the Omaha racing scene since 1998, offers a fresh perspective on the sport. Despite its brief racing calendar, spanning only 5 days, this track packs a punch with its 5/8-mile circuit.
Owned and operated by the Nebraska Horsemen’s Benevolent Association, it’s a testament to Nebraska’s enduring love for horse racing.
Lincoln Race Course
Lastly, don’t overlook the Lincoln Race Course, known for its unique approach to maintaining simulcasting rights with just one race day per year. This singular day of racing might seem quirky, but it’s a strategic move to keep the racing spirit alive in Lincoln.
Final Words
Nebraska currently doesn’t have state-of-the-art horse racing facilities, but their plans are big as they try to revive horse racing once again. On top of that, the racetracks that we mentioned don’t have regular horse racing meet-ups, and organize only a handful of races each year.
But there is hope. Five cities in Nebraska already pitched plans for new horse racing tracks that promise to attract more visitors, help make Nebraska a tourist attraction, and increase the overall popularity of the sport.
We just have to wait and see if this becomes a reality.
