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ing to the National Thoroughbred Racing Association. Pinnacle lasted only two seasons before shutting down because of lack of business.
• Gene McCloud, vice president of the Nebraska HBPA, said he has confidence the Lincoln track will succeed because it will be owned by horsemen rather than businessmen.
• "It's going to be an uphill climb but it's not one we're unfamiliar with," McCloud said. "Lincoln has been supportive of the races before. We have to budget, maintain a good facility and watch our overhead, and we can make it work."
• Longtime Nebraska trainer Chuck Turco said the new track has created optimism among horsemen, but he added a caveat.
• "We're going to need to get lucky," he said.
• The state HBPA plans to first build a simulcasting facility that will open in late summer 2013. In simulcasting, patrons wager on races run at other tracks.
• Simulcasting revenue will be used to build a grandstand, track and barns. HBPA officials did not know how much construction would cost because the facility will be built in stages.
• The state HBPA also announced that Atokad Downs in South Sioux City has been shut down and sold. HBPA officials did not name the buyer or sale price.
• Atokad conducted on-track racing just one day a year, satisfying a state law so it operate as a year-round simulcasting facility. Its closing had been expected because of dwindling attendance and wagers.
• The loss of Atokad will leave Nebraska with tracks in Grand Island, Columbus and Omaha in addition to Lincoln.
• Wagering on on-track and simulcast racing in Nebraska has dropped from $96.8 million in 2007 to $83.5 million in 2011. More than two-thirds of wagering total come from Omaha and Lincoln.
• State law mandates 72 days of on-track racing, with 30 required at Fonner Park in Grand Island and 23 at Agricultural Park in Columbus. Horsemen's Park in Omaha, primarily a simulcasting facility, plans to run at least six days on its track this year.
• Additional on-track racing days would have to be spread among any or all of those three tracks to attain the 72-day minimum until Lincoln is up and running with a full meet. McCloud said he didn't know how long that would take, but the HBPA hopes to eventually conduct a meet lasting at least 30 days in Lincoln.
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