Horse Races

The White Pine Horse Races Association is working to bring horse races back to Ely on Aug. 19 and 20, and will coincide with the White Pine County Fair, Junior Livestock Auction and the annual Nevada Cattlewomen's Rancher-Businessmen's Barbecue. The association has been making contacts, lining up funding and sprucing up the grandstand, fairgrounds and getting the pari-mutuel betting area for the big race weekend. It is part of the Ely Elks Lodge and is headed up by Ken Kliewer, chairman; Ken Curto; Jack Smith; George Carnes, secretary; David Pfost, treasurer; Bob Bartlett, Jack Caylor, Kelly Brown and Bob Marcum. Steve Dobrescu has also been on hand to give technical advice since he and his committee headed up the last races run by White Pine Ag District 13.

Smith and Carnes visited several of the merchants and received race sponsorships. Curto is now contacting businesses to buy ads in the program.

The Elko County Fair has helped immensely by adding Ely conditions to their 2006 racing condition book.

Several of the committee members have made visits to other races to persuade horse owners to come to Ely and race in this event.

Now the committee is working to renovate the grandstand and fairgrounds with funds donated to the committee and coordinated by County Works Chairman Hank Blair.

The efforts of the Horse Races Association have helped Beta Sigma Phi to put on the White Pine County Fair and Livestock Auction again this year.

The committee is inviting individuals and groups to enter quarter horses and thoroughbreds to compete in this year's racing event. Information and details can be obtained by calling the Ely Elks Lodge, 289-4904, or Ken Kliewer, 289-4491.

A full racing committee barbecue and meeting is also being planned for Wednesday, July 12, at the fairgrounds starting at 6 p.m.