Nebraska's Fonner Park approved to race through May

Fonner Park, with approval from the Nebraska State Racing Commission, on Wednesday announced an additional 12 race days commencing May 4 and running through May 31.

Racing will be conducted sans spectators Monday through Wednesday with a 5 p.m. ET first post.

After a recommendation to cease racing and a decision to conduct no-spectator racing on March 23, Fonner Park shifted from weekend racing to a Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday format to create separation from the nation's most popular racetracks.

“While no-spectator racing continues to be conducted at Fonner Park under COVID-19 precaution and prevention guidelines, the continuation of racing is still very much a day-to-day prospect,” said Fonner Park CEO Chris Kotulak. “The ability to continue racing with minimal national and global wagering opportunities has cast a brilliant light on Fonner Park.

"There has been a chunk of mutuel handle on the Fonner Park races, but money bet out-of-state only represents a chunk of revenue compared to money bet on track.”

Since March 23, the all-sources mutuel handle on Fonner Park has risen to a daily average of $2,836,904, excluding the $7.2 million day on April 7 when there was a $4.1 million final pool on a mandatory payout day of the late Pick 5 Jackpot wager.

A second mandatory payout occurred on Tuesday, resulting in a total pool of $2,354,674 and a daily all-sources handle of $6,505,470. A third mandatory payout has been scheduled for April 29.

“Fonner Park operates on a wickedly narrow profit margin. What might seem like a successful spell of handle one week might only equate to survival or even a deficit another week," Kotulak  said. "We cannot be swooned by sexy handles this year when we have to consider purse money for 2021 and the hundreds of thousands of dollars of expenses and repairs we face annually.

"Another important financial factor is that once other tracks return with their racing, the mutuel handle on Fonner Park will drop. My goal is not to simply make hay this year. I have a responsibility to Fonner Park, the horsemen and the city of Grand Island, Nebraska, to remain viable for many years to come.”