Plans For Las Vegas Track Unveiled

It has been announced that three ‘planned sites’ have been targeted to conduct live Standardbred racing in the State of Nevada, and one of those sites is somewhere in Las Vegas.

Officials with the recently-formed Nevada Standardbred Association have officially announced the formation of their organization. Via the NVSA website, the organization has announced that it is working with the Nevada Racing Commission and the ‘Diamond Alliance’ to establish and build an aged sires stakes program.

The NVSA has conveyed that since harness racing in Nevada is in its early stages, the NVSA is also working with the state racing commission and the Diamond Alliance to ‘establish and build the two- and three-year-old sires stakes program.’ The NVSA has stated that breeding operations will be a key to the growth of this program and that the organization is working closely with breeders to make the program happen.

The NVSA has commented on the three ‘planned sites’ for live Standardbred racing to be conducted. In addition to the Las Vegas track, the NVSA has said that the other two planned sites will be at Laughlin – which is located at the southernmost tip of Nevada – and Reno. Additional information regarding the three planned sites is contained in the bullet points which appear below.

• Laughlin is located in the southernmost tip of Nevada, along the Colorado River, where Nevada, California, and Arizona meet. The region has become a major national tourist destination and gambling resort. The region touts that it is focused on building a vibrant and prosperous resort town that increases tourism, promotes recreation, and educates youth. The planned site will have a five-eighths-mile track with a training facility that houses 300-500 racing stock and will provide industry training for caretakers and industry professionals. Additionally, the site plan includes significant acreage for breeding farms to enable organic growth.

• Reno is the second planned site for a track, which is planned to be developed as a complimentary site to the Cal Expo track in California. The potential location is in northwest Reno which is within two and a half hours of Cal Expo. Track size and training facility capabilities are under case study and will be announced when determined.

• Las Vegas is the largest targeted pari-mutuel racing venue for the State of Nevada. The targeted site is less than two hours from Laughlin and may be a ship-in location, complimenting the location. Signature races are targeted for Las Vegas.

Formed in November 2018, the NVSA board consists of TJ Bohannon (president/treasurer), Bobbie Jo Martin (secretary), John Martin (director), and Barbara Burns (director). Gary Kennedy was recently added as a district leader in the Laughlin, Nevada area.

The NVSA promotes and supports harness racing, as well as Standardbred breeding and development programs in Nevada. The NVSA assists racetrack start-ups and represents members in negotiations.

The NVSA recommends rule changes and regulations and cooperates with other Standardbred Associations such as the California Harness Horsemen’s Association. The NVSA also consults with higher education to increase equine care and training within Nevada.

For further information visit nevadastandardbreds.com or call 702-449-2061.

(With files from the NVSA)