An Omaha tradition will be returning to the metro in July.
Live thoroughbred horse racing will be held at Horsemen's Park over three weekends this month, July 7, 8, 9, 21, 22, 28 and 29th.
Horsemen's Park General Manager Mike Newlin says Omaha's rich history of horse racing makes their event one of the biggest sporting events in the city every year. "It's a big event here in Omaha. Horse racing still has a big following from the old Aksarben days."
Last year Horsemen's Park ran five races, that brought in nearly 55,000 people.
Newlin says there is something for everyone to enjoy during the races. "It's not just your typical, horses running around the track. We try to make it a big party atmosphere on Fridays and Saturdays, but then on Sunday with the family day, it makes it special for the younger kids."
Sunday, July 9th there will be a family fun day at the track, complete with pony rides, face painting and a petting zoo.
Every Friday and Saturday night will feature live music in their beer garden at the conclusion of the final race.
Newlin says many of the horses are born and bred in Nebraska, with a few coming from other parts of the Midwest. "We have a lot of horses coming in from Iowa, Colorado and Minnesota. So, the surrounding states, we get also get a good handful of horses from those states to fill our cards, and to fill our races, but the majority of them will be Nebraska bred horses that were born and raised here."
Seeing those horses put hoof to dirt, is something Newlin says is a one of a kind experience. "If you've never seen a live horse racing event, especially here in the atmosphere of Horsemen's Park, it just makes for a fun day and an experience that you really can't get anywhere else."
Friday night races start at 6:30, Saturday races will start at 3:00 PM and Sunday races will begin at 2:00 PM.
Admission to the races is $5, which includes a Live Racing Program. Children seventeen and younger get in free.
For more details visit the Horseman's Park website here.