Cutbacks at the state level have hit
 BRUCE WHETTEN/DOUGLAS DISPATCH There will be no horse races this year at the Cochise County Fairgrounds. For the second time in three years state budget cuts have affected county fairs throughout the state to the point they can not put on the popular event. |
again forcing the elimination of a very
popular event.
Fairgrounds Manager Karen Strongin
confirmed last week that for the
second time in three years the Cochise
County Fairgrounds will not be having
any horse races.
Last year Douglas was fortunate
enough to land one weekend which
brought in an estimated 4,000 people
over two days.
“This is something that is completely
out of our hands,” Strongin said. “It’s
unfortunate. These cuts have been state
wide.”
Strongin said other fairgrounds
around the state are now trying to find
new events to keep going since they
can’t race this year.
“This doesn’t look like it’s going to
change any time soon,” she said. “The
future of horse racing looks very bleak
for county fairs.”
The Cochise County Fairgrounds is
home to a 7/8-mile dirt racetrack that
has been part of the spring racing circuit
for many years.
The track has been home to the
famed El Moro de Cumpas Stakes and trials. It consistently ranks
as a favorite racing venue
among trainers and jockeys
and is maintained year
round and available weekday
mornings for race training.
Reports are the Arizona
Department of Racing has
been told by the state leaders
they have to become self
sufficient as far as supporting
themselves within the
next three years.
Strongin said the average
cost to put on a two weekend
horse race is about
$150,000.
The Fairgrounds Manager
said Sonoita has landed a
private benefactor and will
have racing May 7-8 the
weekend of the Kentucky
Derby but the surrounding
circuits like Douglas, Safford,
Duncan, Kingman and
Flagstaff will be without.
Rillito Downs in Tucson
just concluded its races.
Strongin said she wasn’t
sure how they were funded.
From Tucson the horses
would have then headed to
Duncan, then Safford, Douglas
and concluded with
Sonoita before moving on to
the rest of the state.
‘When the economy was
doing well the races here
made money,” Strongin
said. “They also well attended.
Last year we had an awesome
crowd but we only did
the one weekend. That made
the difference for us.”
Strongin said there are
still quite a few horses training
at the fairgrounds.
In an effort to replace the
lost funding Strongin is putting
on a Cinco de Mayo Hot
Air Balloon Festival April
30 through May 1.
“We hope to have about
10 hot air balloons,” she
said. “We’re offering sponsorships.
We have three different
types that are available.”_
There will be two
scheduled flights “ weather
permitting. There will also
be a balloon glow Saturday
night along with a variety of
bands providing entertainment.
“We plan on having a variety
of events going
throughout the day,” Strongin
said.
The buildings at the fairgrounds
are also available
for party rentals and the 87th
Annual Cochise County
Fair is also scheduled for
Sept. 22-25.
“We’re going to miss not
having not having the races
this year,” Strongin said.
“This doesn’t come as a surprise
however. For the last
several years we’ve been
trying to keep the races going.
It was just getting harder
and harder every year.”
The Cochise County Fair
Association is a privatelyowned
non-profit organization
serving Cochise County
since 1924.
Comments
Caitlin wrote on Oct 5, 2011 11:26 PM:
From Douglas with LOVE wrote on Mar 17, 2011 9:16 PM:
HOt BaLOoneS!!!!!!!!! "
Aurora V. Sanchez wrote on Mar 13, 2011 11:05 PM:
Connie Kelley wrote on Mar 11, 2011 11:15 PM:
Connie Kelley
480-380-3585 "
qwere1 wrote on Mar 10, 2011 7:46 AM:
Douguno wrote on Mar 10, 2011 5:00 AM:
acastro13 wrote on Mar 8, 2011 7:33 AM: