GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (KSNB) – Opening weekend for the 2025 horse racing season comes to a close Sunday at Fonner Park.

The season is underway after racing officials canceling the initial start date (February 15) due to the winter storm.

Chris Kotulak, CEO of Fonner Park, said he’s been working on racetracks for over 40-years and there’s always going to be glitches during opening weekend.

“We’ve had a little glitches here and there,” said Kotulak. “Some of our point of sales systems, the wireless were out, but we were packed and we accommodated the best we could, it was great to see a crowd turn up for our races.“

Kotulak shared he’s looking forward to all the horses participating in the races this year.

“We had a ten-race card, we had running of the grass mix stakes which is always earlier on in our year,” Kotulak said. “We had a horse that’s been racing Keeneland win the race here, so that was nice to have local connection with a horse. We will see that horse race again perhaps in the Big Sprint Cup coming up later on the final week of April.“

Schuler Condon, owner and trainer for Condon Racing Stables, shared he’s excited see his horse Spirts Mischief to be apart of the Winner Circle during opening weekend.

“Yesterday was my first win of the year, I had a couple of horses run really well” said Condon. “I run a third and second, but the big one was the stake one, that was a pretty good.“

Wally Wollesen, president of Nebraska Horseman’s Benevolent and Protective Association, said “I had a very successful year here last year as an owner, I have raced not only here in Nebraska, but Oklahoma and Minnesota, and Kentucky but I brought all my horses this year to Nebraska, and for us older people it’s been a long time but it’s exciting again now.”

The 2025 horse racing season will continue Friday, Saturday, and Sunday – Fridays at 3:00 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays at 1:30 p.m. at Fonner Park.

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