Nebraska sets year's schedule

The Nebraska State Racing Commission approved 104 days of live racing in the state next year at its meeting last Thursday, down three days from the 2007 dates.

Fonner Park sliced the three days from its schedule by pushing opening weekend back to Feb. 15. It will run through Kentucky Derby Day on May 3 for a total of 35 days, down from 38.

State Fair Park in Lincoln will run its usual 37 days, starting up May 9 and running through July 13. Horsemen's Park in Omaha then offers its four-day festival meet July 17 to 20.

Columbus Agricultural Park runs a 24-day meet from July 24 through Sept. 1. Horsemen's Atokad Downs in South Sioux City closes out the state's Thoroughbred season with its three-day festival on Sept. 5-7. Fairplay Park then offers a one day Quarter Horse meet on Sept. 13.