Horse Racing Returns to Ely

The White Pine County Fair and the White Pine Horse Races will be held this weekend at the White Pine County fairgrounds in Ely.

Themed “Apple Pies & Family Ties,” the fair will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday.

There will be entertainment, music and games, vendors and open exhibits, a 4-H and FFA livestock sale, lip sync battles, pie baking and pie eating contests and the famous horse races.

“I hope everyone remembers, the fair isn’t just for people who are in 4-H, it’s for everyone in the community,” said one fair official.

There will be a dunk tank this year to raise money for the school sports program and there are quite a few people who are running for county commission that will be in the tank.

The races will offer thoroughbred and quarter horse races with parimutuel betting. Post time is 1 p.m. and admission is $5. The White Pine Horse Races are a local tradition since the 1920s, attracting thousands of people from all over the world.

According to organizers of the event, attending the races it is the best time to be in Ely.
Travis Wheeler and Mackenzie King traveled from Oregon with three of his race horses to try out the track here in Ely for the first time.

“The people here have been very accommodating and friendly,” Wheeler said.

He said that his horses aren’t just an investment, they are his family. Beer 30 and Stormy Katt have been with him for awhile, winning at various tracks, while Stormy Harbor Cat is fairly new to his collection. Travis is very anxious to see how she does on the track this weekend.

The Horse Race Committee has had an overwhelming response to the races this year, with over 96 entries. Racers are coming from all over the states.

“We have a lot of wonderful sponsorships this year and we’d like to thank all of them,” said Jim Bath, chairman of the horse racing committee. “The weather is going to be amazing, it’s going to be a great weekend, everyone should come out and enjoy the races.”