Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs in Claremore, Oklahoma, owned by the Cherokee Nation, is in the midst of a .5 million renovation covering 43,000 square feet. The project will be completed in April 2017. General Manager Rusty Stamps said, “We have very loyal guests who enjoy visiting us for live racing, live entertainment and gaming. We strive to provide a high quality experience at all our casinos and felt it was the right time to enhance the experience at Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs.”
Cherokee Nation Businesses Chief Executive Officer Shawn Slaton added, “Cherokee Nation Entertainment is the market leader for gaming and live entertainment. We are committed to providing our guests an exciting experience at Will Rogers Downs, while employing 200 local residents and maintaining great partnerships that benefit the local communities.”
The 250-machine gaming floor will be moved and offer a new layout. The simulcast viewing area also will be relocated and feature seating for more than 100 plus several large screen TVs and an indoor paddock observation area.
The new Dog Iron Grill will hold 90 diners in two seating areas and the Dog Iron Saloon will be outfitted with a new bar, dance floor and stage area. In addition, the Horseshoe banquet space will be expanded to accommodate an extra 150 race fans during major events like the Kentucky Derby.
Meanwhile, the racetrack is preparing for the return of fall racing on Saturday, September 10. The 2016 Will Rogers Downs racing schedule features 28 AQHA, Appaloosa and Paint stakes races through November 12. Races begin at noon every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with 12 races each day.
John Lies, racing secretary, announcer and oddsmaker at Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs, said, “The barns are at full capacity following a strong showing of applications. Our meet starts at full speed with the trials for the Black Gold 350 Futurity on opening day. The horsemen are ready to go.”
The Black Gold 350 Championship Futurity Trials features the nation’s top 2-year-old quarter horses racing 350 yards. The 10 fastest qualifiers will then compete in the Futurity Finals on Sunday, September 25, with an additional $303,000 guaranteed.
On Sunday, September 11 the inaugural of the new Miss Ellen Stakes will offer $18,000 for fillies and mares, three years and older.
Lies noted, “The 440-yard action of the Black Gold division comes towards the end of our season with an average of two races per day scheduled for Paints and Appaloosas, including numerous stakes events for those breeds.” Specifically, the final day of racing showcases the $303,000 Black Gold 440 Championship Futurity Finals, along with the Oklahoma Horsemen’s Association Mystery Derby Finals, worth $25,000, and the $75,000 Oklahoma Horsemen’s Association Mystery Futurity Restricted Grade III.
On the first two and last two nights of the season, Craig Braddick of “A Day At The Races” on Altitude TV, plus the radio show “Horseplay” on Castle Rock Radio, will serve as guest announcer.
Opened in December 2005, Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs features six months of live horse racing comprised of a spring Thoroughbred meet and fall Quarter Horse meet. Simulcast races worldwide are broadcast year-round inside the casino.
