Live Thoroughbred racing is scheduled to return at Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs Mar. 22 and will continue through May 26. The meet will include eight stakes races with six exclusively for accredited Oklahoma-Breds. Post time is 1:00 p.m. daily.
“As one of only a few tracks running last spring, we are now very rehearsed in conducting a safe race meet under pandemic restrictions and CDC guidelines,” said John Lies, racing secretary, announcer and oddsmaker at Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs.
Stakes races begin Apr. 12 with the $50,000 guaranteed Wilma Mankiller S., followed by the $50,000 guaranteed Highland Ice S. Apr. 13. A purse of $55,000 is also guaranteed for the Miranda Diane S. May 3, the TRAO Classic Sprint May 4, the Cinema S. May 24, and the May 25 Will Rogers S. Rounding out the spring meet May 26 are the More Than Even S. and the Cherokee Nation Classic Cup. Both races carry a purse of $55,000 guaranteed.
“We worked with the Thoroughbred Racing Association of Oklahoma to adjust purses and to create the most competitive racing program possible,” Lies said. “Our hope is that the heightened class levels help us retain the stronger collection of shippers we enjoyed last year, while also providing richer opportunities for the local stock.”
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