Nebraska sets 2005 race dates

The Nebraska State Racing Commission approved a schedule of 107 days of live racing in 2005 at the state's five Thoroughbred tracks and the Quarter Horse track in Hastings at its Friday meeting in Lincoln.

The schedule is basically unchanged from this year. Fonner Park will lead off with a 38-day season from Feb. 11 to May 7. State Fair Park will then offer a 37-day stand from May 13 to July 17, a weekend longer than this year.

Horsemen's Park in Omaha will offer its four-day festival from July 21 to 24. Columbus then picks up with a 25-day schedule, July 28 to Sept. 11. Horsemen's Atokad Downs, in South Sioux City, finishes up the Thoroughbred calendar with a three-day offering on Sept. 16 to 18.

Hastings Exposition and Racing will offer a one-day Quarter Horse meet Sept. 24.