Ak-Sar-Ben Is Waging Struggle for Survival

In 1985, there were nine major horse races run daily between Chicago and New Mexico--all at Ak-Sar-Ben.

Today, the Omaha track is struggling to survive in competition with four new tracks in the region--Canterbury Downs in Shakopee, Minn., Remington Park in Oklahoma City, Okla., Prairie Meadows in Des Moines and the Woodlands in Kansas City, Kan.

At one time, Ak-Sar-Ben’s daily attendance and mutuel handle averages were among the top 10 in the nation. But this summer, Ak-Sar-Ben completed its sixth straight season of falling attendance and revenue.

The Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben, the charitable group that operates the facility, are trying to work out a sale to Douglas County because racing revenue can no longer support it.

“It’s just a little bit disconcerting when you see . . . one of the top 10 tracks in the country suddenly facing a borderline situation like they are through no fault of their own,” Remington Park General Manager David Vance said.

While Ak-Sar-Ben’s numbers continue to decline, figures at the new tracks haven’t met expectations.

“The success of horse racing in Kansas City is not exactly what we had hoped,” said Rick Baedecker, general manager of The Woodlands.

The fight for survival is not just being waged among the race tracks.

Horse racing is battling state and local lotteries, dog racing, casinos and charitable gaming operations to maintain its slice of the gambling pie.

Vance said the five tracks harm each other mainly in competition for horses. Don Drew, outgoing president of Ak-Sar-Ben, agreed.

“The size of fields is a problem and will continue to be a problem,” he said.

He added that a slight decrease in the number of foals in the last few years was one factor. “And we’ve seen a pretty significant increase in two areas: the number of racing days in the United States and the number of races run on those days,” Drew said.

Drew said that makes it difficult to find full fields of 10 and 12 horses in races, especially in allowance and higher-priced claiming races.

“That’s got to have an effect on the size of the fields. It’s inevitable,” Drew said.