Fonner Park to continue racing in May
GRAND ISLAND - The Nebraska State Racing Commission approved a second horse racing season at Fonner Park. Starting on May 4, Fonner will host an additional 12 race days going to the end of May.
Fonner Park CEO, Chris Kotulak said Fonner is one of about a half a dozen tracks open in the United States. Given the limited amount of tracks in the country and abroad, Kotulak felt it was important to provide additional races for the horses and horsemen in Grand Island.
"These horsemen don't have a place to go, so since they are here and the horses need to be feed and the horses need to continue their livelihood, Fonner Park sought to seek additional race days and that's what we have here in May," Kotulak said.
Since March 23, Fonner's all-sources mutuel handle has risen to $2,836,904 a day. That number excludes April 7, when they received $7.2 million for the mandatory payout of the popular Dinsdale Late Pick 5 Jackpot wager, and on the second mandatory payout day on April 21 when their source handle was $6,505,470.
With Hall County leading Nebraska in positive COVID-19 cases, Kotulak had this to say about remaining open during the pandemic.
"We know we are here because we continue to be vigilant. If we don't, we get lax, we may pay the price," Kotulak said. "We might pay the price anyway but we are continuing to put our best foot forward to save, well to save our horses and our horsemen and our product."
Fonner Park will remain open until the final race at the end of May. The will stay on a Monday through Wednesday schedule. People are encouraged to view the races on TVG's website.