CLAREMORE, Okla. — Three months after a tornado tore through Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs, the American Quarter Horse Association has returned to the stables to kick off the fall racing season on Monday.
The 2024 Will Rogers Downs racing schedule features 28 AQHA, Appaloosa and Paint races through Nov. 12, worth a total of $660,000. Operations resumed at the racino in August after repairs were made to the gaming facility and grandstands following the May 26 storms.
“The May tornado reduced our stable capacity for this meet and required some additional accommodations for repairs and construction,” said John Lies, racing secretary and track announcer for Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs. “Still, we are confident in our ability to put on a successful race meet and be able to welcome back the local Quarter Horse racing community.”
Races will post at 1 p.m. every Monday, Tuesday and Sunday thereafter, until the final weekend of the season.
The season begins Monday with the Mystery Futurity Trials that feature the top 2-year-old Quarter Horses in the country going 350 yards. The 10 fastest qualifiers will then compete in the futurity final on Monday, Sept. 23.
On Sunday, Sept. 29, the AQHA Juvenile Challenge Final will include a 350-yard race for 2-year-olds and guarantees $30,000 in the purse and includes $15,000 from the AQHA, while the AQHA Distance Challenge Final and AQHA Distaff Challenge Final offer a $20,000 purse each.
Tuesday, Nov. 12, will close out the season with a final schedule that includes the $15,000 Speedhorse Paint and Appaloosa Futurity Championship Final and the Mystery Derby Final, which offers a $25,000 purse.
The final day will also feature the Don Drake Memorial, which offers a 350-yard race and guarantees a $15,000 purse, the $116,250 Black Gold Futurity Championship Final, and the $116,250 Black Gold Fillies Futurity Championship Final.
“This meet means a lot to the local racing community. It gives trainers and owners the ability to stay close to home to compete and qualify for future races,” said Krissy Bamberg, executive director of the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Racing Association. “We’re grateful to the staff at Will Rogers Downs for keeping this tradition going, and we’re excited to see people in the stands once again.”
The KOA Campground remains closed during the season for continued repairs. For a full schedule of Will Rogers Downs’ 2024 stakes, visit https://www.cherokeecasino.com/will-rogers-downs/amenities/races.
With more than 250 games, live music, heart-pounding horse racing action and impeccable service, Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs is your source of entertainment. The casino and track are both located 3 miles east of Claremore on Hwy. 20. For more information, visit www.cherokeecasino.com and click on the Will Rogers Downs tab, or call (918) 283-8800.