An estimated 1,000 spectators filled the stands at the Atokad Park racetrack in South Sioux City, Nebraska for its September 10 event. Alexcia Boggs, director of development for Ho-Chunk Inc., the economic development arm of the Wisconsin-based Winnebago Tribe, said, “We got a lot of positive comments from the jockeys and owners. We’re grateful to the community for their support. It will help us moving forward.”
Boggs was referring to Ho-Chunk’s efforts to open a racino and entertainment venue at the racetrack, which it purchased in 2012. Nebraska has seven tribal casinos; commercial casinos are not legal in Nebraska. A petition drive to place the issue on the November ballot recently failed. “We’re going to keep working on the gambling issue in Nebraska,” she said.
Three horses, the most allowed by officials for safety reasons, ran at the September 10 event. Boggs expects more to be allowed in the next race. “They were hesitant to opening it up too wide for the first one,” she said, adding Ho-Chunk worked hard to ensure the track was safe for the horses and jockeys.
The event was a family affair with special games and prizes. “I think this shows what a huge interest there is for this in the area,” Boggs said.
