Meet rekindles spirit of the old west

Many residents of Colorado relish the state’s rich equine history and that extends to the Arapahoe Park meet that opens on Sunday.

“It has a western tradition,” said track official Bruce Seymore. “The fastest horse wins.”

Arapahoe, which first opened in 1984, is set for a 42-date meet featuring Thoroughbreds, Quarter Horses, and Arabians. The track will race every Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday through Oct. 4. Post time is 1 p.m. Mountain.

The new season will mark something of a return to normalcy for Arapahoe and its local patrons, according to Seymore, who is the executive director and general manager of Arapahoe.

“The biggest difference is we’re coming out of two years of the COVID stuff,” he said. “We’ll be totally open like we used to be. All floors open. The last two years were heavily restricted as to what we could and couldn’t do as it relates to patrons.”

Arapahoe – like other tracks – was not able to open to the public during the first year of the pandemic in 2020. And last year, the track was limited to 500 patrons inside and 1,000 outside.

But that’s changed and Colorado residents heading to Arapahoe will find all of the track’s restaurants, concessions, and other amenities operational. On the track, an eight-race card will open the season, led by the $23,000 Inaugural.

The feature, for 3-year-olds over six furlongs, drew a field of 11. Quicktrip Van will be making his first start since running second in last year’s Gold Rush Futurity at Arapahoe. The effort came following his win in the Colorado Thoroughbred Breeders Association Laddie.

There also will be stakes action Monday with the running of the $21,000 Firecracker for 3-year-olds and up at five furlongs. The highly competitive field includes Collusionist, winner of last year’s Arapahoe Park Sprint.

Other highlights of the stakes schedule include the $20,000 Arapahoe Park Derby at 1 1/16 miles Sept. 18 and the $35,000 Gold Rush Futurity for 2-yearolds at six furlongs Oct. 4. The Gold Rush will be supported by the $20,000 Butch Gleason Classic for 3-year-olds and up over 1 1/8 miles.

The Quarter Horse offerings include a trio of $75,000-estimated futurities: The Rocky Mountain on July 24, the Cherry Creek on Aug. 28, and the Mile High on Oct. 4.

Seymore said plans are to conduct eight races a card. Purses are projected to average $90,000 a day, including stakes. The stable area is filled with a diverse roster of stables.

“We’ve got new guys here from Nebraska,” said Seymore. “Nebraska and Arizona are the two main places we draw horses from.”

Shannon Rushton was brought on as director of racing and racing secretary a year ago and his role has expanded. Seymore said Rushton is now the assistant general manager of Arapahoe.

“We’re ready to roll,” said Seymore.