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White Pine Horse Races 2008
Ely, Nevada
Saturday & Sunday, August 16 & 17, 2008 |
2007 Races ~ Click on photo to
enlarge... |
| History of the Races |
“THEY’RE OFF!” This familiar cry will be heard, once
again, this fall as live horse racing returns to Nevada’s White Pine
County. Operated by the local Ely Elks lodge No. 1469, this will be the
third season in their efforts to re-establish a long time tradition of
the sport which began over 70 years ago in Ely.
Originally organized in
1934, the races were formed by local ranchers and business people in an
effort to overcome the depression blues. Some of the people involved in
the formation of the races were Bill Goodman, Frank Calloway and Stan
Draper. This group ran the races until 1937 when the county helped by
forming a Fair Board. The first chairman of the board was Tom Bath, a
local business owner. A year later, they would build a new race track
and grandstand which is still in use.
In 1950, the races were rained
out, hurting the event financially. Subsequently, a group composed of
various social clubs was formed under the “Pony Express Committee.” This
group ran the event until 1954 when the local Elks Lodge took over. The
Elks had been heavily involved in the races and had a large membership.
The lodge would run the races for the next 40 years until 1993 when they
could no longer operate profitably. However, during that time, the lodge
contributed nearly $250,000 from the race proceeds to make improvements
at the fairgrounds. Some of the improvements included new restrooms, a
pari-mutuel building, Paddock and jockey room and several new horse
barns.
Shortly, another group of volunteers in cooperation with the
local Agriculture District 13 picked up the challenge and managed to run
race meets until 2000 when it was decided it was no longer practical or
profitable to operate the event and they were discontinued.
During its
history, the races were run in conjunction with other events including
the White Pine County Fair, the 4-H livestock show and auction and a
barbeque/dance by the local Cattlewomen’s Association. On these
weekends, the fairgrounds were a favorite social event packing the
fairgrounds with people. The loss of the races had a significant impact
on these events and the community at large.
In 2006, the Ely Elks Lodge
again felt the need to try to revive the sport in Ely. At that time,
there was only one live race meet operating Elko and Mule races in
Winnemucca. Recent legislation which made funds available for purses
seemed to make the effort more practical and the White Pine Horse Races
were officially organized. Support from the local community and
surrounding areas was even greater than anticipated and the 2006 meet
was a success, gathering the largest crowd ever at the fairgrounds,
according to one spokesman. “We ran out of beer and food items and had
to get more in a hurry.” He added. Buoyed up by that success they are
organizing the second meet on the third weekend in August this year, in
cooperation with the local Agriculture District No. 13.
Although much
smaller than the Elko race event, the Ely race attracts as many as 150
to 250 thoroughbreds and quarter horses along with their owners,
trainers, jockeys and other racing enthusiasts. The participants mainly
come from Utah, Idaho, California, Arizona and as far away as Oklahoma.
This not only provides a fun weekend, but contributes significantly to
the local economy.
Operating the races is no small task, as nearly 100
volunteers are need to conduct the event. According to one spokesman:
“The success of the races is due mainly to the many unpaid volunteers
who work at the track, as well as the businesses who sponsor the races
and provide other financial support.”
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