GRAND ISLAND, Neb. -- Fonner Park is getting ready for another racing season.

The standard season that features 31 days of racing over the course of months is set to start Saturday.

Fonner Park CEO Chris Kotulak said, unlike past years, Friday racing won't begin until March. 

“We’ll run the same amount of days but we just know that Saturdays are our best days, Sundays are the second best, and then Fridays," Kotulak said. "So we thought it would just give an a better opportunity to have a big grand opening on Saturday."

This year, race fans will notice 16 new TVs in the clubhouse, new carpet in the Turf Club, and a new free seating section located near the paddock. Live music is scheduled for every Saturday in the Skyline Pub seating area and live Latino music will play near the Fiesta Cantina on Sundays from 1:00 to 3:00.

Kotulak said the temporary casino attached to the racetrack has benefited Fonner Park. The track has been able to increase its purse money 20% .

“The numbers are doing a little bit better than what the casino had expected so that’s all good for us and we’re just getting started,” Kotulak said.

With the construction of the seven-story Grand Island Casino Resort & Hotel, parking is slightly more limited.

“We have now three golf carts that are courtesy shuttles," Kotulak said. "There’s no charge and we have people picking people up in the parking lot and taking them right up to the door of the entrance to the race track so we think that that’s helpful and will help offset the loss of parking stalls.”

Another new addition is the menu of simulcast tracks racing from Hipodromo Chile.