Fonner Park, (Brian Neben, Central Nebraska Today)
GRAND ISLAND — The 72nd racing season at Fonner Park kicks off this Saturday in Grand Island, a springtime tradition in central Nebraska.
This year’s season consists of 31 race days over 12 weekends which starts on Feb. 15 and concludes on May 3. The Friday racing dates start on Feb. 28 at 3 p.m., except for March 14 which starts at 4 p.m.
Entries are strong for opening day; eight of the ten races on Saturday have eight-horse fields or more, according to Fonner Park.
There will be live music provided by the West Wind Band for Saturday’s race in the Skyline Pub.
“Striding on and building up for Fonner Park, my executive board and I are optimistically planning for another strong horseracing season. I am proud to announce a 10 percent increase in overnight purses for 2025. In the last three years our average overnight purses have increased by 65 percent,” Fonner Park CEO Chris Kotulak wrote in the 2025 condition book.
“Apart from a purse increase, my facilities team continues to repair and prepare for horsemen. Rainwater drainage ditches have been cleared, and we have finalized a campuswide storm sewer and paving plan that will begin immediately at the conclusion of 2025 racing. The training track has also undergone significant maintenance and we have replaced a water truck,” Kotulak wrote.
“A major chunk of horsemen allocations from casino revenue has been directed to the purchase of
a starting gate,” writes Kotulak.
Those arriving at the track from the north entrance won’t fail to notice the construction of the seven story Grand Island Casino Resort Hotel, which is expected to open during the thoroughbred racing season.
“We will soon learn the effects of a 7-story casino resort hotel in full operation alongside us. Plans are for a grand opening in February of 2025. With the casino evolution, we hope to create new fans and retain our longstanding guests. Horseracing exposure and a positive experience for everyone remains my priority,” Kotulak wrote.
“Celebrating over 70 years of racing comes from decades of diligent management, and sustained commitment from our stakeholders,” Kotulak noted.
“The heart of Fonner Park is the live thoroughbred race meet which runs from mid-February through early May. During the live meet, many events such as craft shows, family activities, recreational shows, and giveaways along with special races highlight the season,” per the Fonner Park website.
“The timeline of Fonner Park begins in the 1950’s, back to a time when the farmland property set on the outskirts of Grand Island was owned and operated by Gus and Emma Fonner,” according to the Fonner Park website.
“A group of civic-minded businessmen met in 1953 to organize the Hall County Livestock Improvement Association for the purpose of locating a permanent home for the Hall County Fair, complete with buildings which consisted of barns, a grandstand and also a race track. Gus Fonner was a charter member of the Association. He and Emma sold their land that became known as Fonner Park to the Association,” per the website.
Find the Fonner Park opening weekend schedule here.
