It’s not about who let the dogs out, but when? The Valley Race Park in Harlingen last held a dog race in 2013. This November 25, the dogs are back.
We’re only a few days away from the return of live dog racing at the Valley Race Park.
Maury Korn Asst Gen Manager Valley Race Park says, “On a regular basis, they haven’t been here since the first Sunday in April of 2009. We’ve had 2 special meets since then. One was 5 days and the other was a single day of racing.
For some time now the park has served as a simulcast center where other races are broadcast. The site is also an event center. Because the place has not functioned as a racetrack in some time, some fixtures need to be repaired. Some lights haven’t seen maintenance since the dogs were racing back in 2009.
“Preparations have been very difficult. Maintaining the track, getting the rail for the track. The lure that the animals chase has been very difficult,” says Korn.
The races begin in just ten days. That’s the Friday right after thanksgiving. The racers are a unique set of dogs.
“They haven’t raced anywhere they are coming off the farm. All of them are bred in Texas all of them coming off Texas bred farms,” says Korn.
They’ve never raced, but soon the 15-27 month dogs will call this track their home. They practice in the evenings, and soon a few will be champions.
Korn says, “We’re happy that we’re helping save racing in the state of Texas.”
The park will have 11 weeks of dog racing starting November 25th to February 4th. Races will be held Friday-through-Sunday. Today, staff is making sure the finishing touches are ready for the big debut.
Valley Race Park plans to hold additional races on Wednesdays with free admission for senior citizens. The weekday races are set to begin starting December 28.
