Horse racing returns to Fargo

FARGO — Live horse racing returns to Fargo this weekend as the North Dakota Horse Park is up and running after a two-year hiatus.

Horses, owners, trainers and jockeys have come from around the region to compete in the four-day meet that begins at 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and continues next weekend, July 21-22.

“It may be a short meet, but we’re going to have a lot of excitement over four days,” said NDHP manager Mike Weiss.

About 400 horses are expected to run, a mix of both thoroughbreds and American Quarter Horses.

A number of races planned for the meet will be for horses raised in North Dakota, including the $10,000 North Dakota Derby on July 22.

Races have not been held at the park since the summer of 2009. It closed in April 2010 after racking up about $150,000 debt since opening in 2005.

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