Eureka, Kansas – After a 16‑year shutdown, Eureka Downs reopened its historic horse‑racing season this past weekend, drawing crowds that rival those at larger venues. The track, which first opened in 1903 and is the oldest surviving horse‑racing facility west of the Mississippi River, welcomed more than 5,000 spectators on each of its first two weekends despite rainy, muddy conditions.
Governor‑backed legislation fuels revival
Last year, Governor Laura Kelly signed a bill directing tax revenue from historical horse‑racing wagering into a fund that supports live racing. The legislation provided the financial foundation for Eureka Downs to resume operations, allowing the track to offer competitive purses and attract horses from neighboring states such as Colorado, Oklahoma, Minnesota and Iowa.
Fans and community embrace the comeback
“We had two weekends with over 5,000 people showing up. At the large tracks, you don’t get that kind of crowd,” said Mike Weiss, General Manager of Eureka Downs. “We are just getting so well‑received. People are having a lot of fun and just enjoying the sport.”
Local residents gathered at nearby cafés to discuss the races, turning the event into a community celebration. “You go into the little local cafe, and you get to listening to people, and that’s all they talk about is racing,” said Alex Birzer, a Hutchinson‑born jockey who competes at the track.
Plans for growth next season
While the inaugural return season featured six days of racing, the management team is already looking ahead. Weiss indicated that the track hopes to expand to as many as 30 racing days next year, along with additional facility upgrades such as more stables to accommodate the influx of out‑of‑state horses.
“We definitely need more stables. We’re having horses coming in from Colorado, from Oklahoma, from Minnesota, from Iowa,” Weiss explained. “They’re coming in to run here. We have some great purses.”
Heritage and future of the sport
For many, the revival of Eureka Downs is more than a sporting event; it’s a nod to a proud regional heritage. Birzer, who is 53 and follows in his father’s footsteps as a horse‑racing enthusiast, described the experience as “like driving a fast car. You’re driving fast horses… you’re one with that horse, and it’s just unlike anything you can imagine.”
The final day of the return season is scheduled for Sunday, giving fans one more weekend to enjoy the track before the off‑season. Community leaders and business owners are hopeful that the renewed interest will boost local tourism and support surrounding enterprises.
Looking ahead
With strong attendance, supportive state policy, and ambitious plans for expansion, Eureka Downs appears poised to become a lasting fixture in Kansas’s sporting landscape once again.
Original reporting: KWCH 12 (Gray) – local — read the source article.
