Nebraska HBPA

4 months ago

HBPA Members and fans of racing-

We would like to give everyone an update on what we’re doing in Lincoln.

We will hopefully be opening our transitional operation in Lincoln soon. We haven’t gotten a date yet from the Racing and Gaming Commission when we can officially open, but we are hoping to announce a date at the end of the month.

The transitional facility will be in the current Lincoln Race Course building with both simulcasting and slot machines. We will have room for around 430 machines. The simulcast area will be in a smaller footprint than we are used to, but this enables us to generate significantly more revenue so the Board can accomplish some very overdue goals for racing. This situation will last about 20 months in order to build the rest of the brand new facility around the current building. Once the final product is done, it will have a 196 room hotel, full casino with slots and table games, and a much larger and more accommodating simulcast and sports betting facility. A special Horsemen’s building, paddock, and jockeys quarters are in the future plan as well.

The Board of Directors and President Wollesen have identified two urgent goals in the near future. Those are repairing the track surface, and purchasing 155 acres immediately next door. A nationally recognized expert who has worked on Keeneland and Churchill Downs has been hired and has informed the Board that the 7/8 mile track needs extensive work, including changing the bank, the base, and the cushion mix. In addition, the rail needs to be re-installed and drainage needs to be improved. This work will begin this month in order to have the track ready next year.

The land next door is available to us, but we need to close on the property in the next few months with a substantial down payment. With the new gaming revenue due to the Horsemen, we can afford to do both things, but those urgent projects need to be completed now in order to secure the long term vision of the Board.

While those things are underway, the Board is focused on fighting HISA. The Board has decided to join the lawsuit in Louisiana and will also name both tracks as parties to the lawsuit to show strength in numbers. This situation is unacceptable to horsemen across the country and we must stay united until we find a solution.

We will give more updates as time goes on. Please be patient with us. This revenue from gaming will be the first significant new revenue for our industry since simulcasting was legalized in the late 80’s. The initiatives we got on the ballot with HoChunk were passed almost two years ago, and we still have not seen a penny of new revenue for Horsemen. Hopefully that will be changing soon. The full revenue generation for the complete facilities is still two years away, but this new limited revenue will allow us to hang in there until that time.

Please stick with us, the Board and HBPA employees are working hard for you so that we can all enjoy better facilities, purses that allow you to actually make a living, and give Nebraska horsemen a chance to stay home to race. We haven’t had that since AkSarBen and State Fair Park closed, but that’s our dream and our goal. We’re not there yet, but we’re giving it our full effort.

Our goal for Lincoln in particular is to eventually add significantly to the live race day schedule so Fonner is not carrying the bulk of our total days anymore. They have been the constant in Nebraska for racing and we appreciate them very much. We want to share the responsibility of offering live race opportunities in Nebraska.

Thank you for your membership, friendship, and support. ... See MoreSee Less

Nebraska HBPA

6 months ago

Congratulations to the winning connections of the 2nd Annual Nebraska HBPA Stallion Stakes. You're winner was Price to Pay. Winning owner Jeff Cox. Winning his first Stakes as a trainer, John Muckey. Congrats to all. ... See MoreSee Less

Nebraska HBPA

7 months ago

Attention Horsemen: This is a reminder that early nominations close this Saturday May 7th for the 2022 Nebraska HBPA Stallion Stakes. The HBPA's Stallion Stake Race will be ran on Sunday June 5th at Ag Park in Columbus, NE. Please see Wayne Anderson in the racing office at Fonner Park if you would like to nominate. ... See MoreSee Less

Nebraska HBPA

8 months ago

Attn: Horsemen. Nominations forms for the 2022 Nebraska HBPA Stallion Stakes are in the racing office at Fonner Park. The 2022 Nebraska HBPA Stallion Stakes will be ran Sunday June 5th at Ag Park in Columbus. Early nominations are due Saturday May 7th. A list of stallion seasons that sold in our auction is available in the racing office. Please go see Wayne Anderson to nominate. ... See MoreSee Less

Nebraska HBPA

10 months ago

Horsemen’s Bookkeeper Hours at Fonner—-

Deb is all set up at Fonner and ready to help the Horsemen.

Her office hours for the next two weeks:
Monday thru Friday: 8:30-12 noon
Saturday Feb. 19 and Sunday Feb. 20th: 8:30am until after the last race.

As usual, she'll post her office hours for the rest of the season on her door. You can always reach her on her cell phone, too. (308) 258-2345

Please spread the word. Thank you! ... See MoreSee Less

Nebraska HBPA

11 months ago

Attn: Breeders, For those of you shipping to KY to breed your mares. If you are looking for a place to board your mares, please let Blaine know and I can provide you a referral. Day rates at $30 shuttling to all Ky stud farms. ... See MoreSee Less