Wyoming's Sweetwater Downs expands schedule

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Rock Springs, Wyo. • The late summer parimutuel horse race meet at Sweetwater Downs has been expanded from four to eight days.

Eugene Joyce, the general manager of Wyoming Horse Racing LLC, made the announcement Wednesday.

Citing the potential for increased revenue from the recently passed bill that allows for wagering on historic racing, Joyce said Sweetwater Downs will operate on four consecutive weekends starting Aug. 17.

The track, which opened two years ago, is heavily supported by Utah horsemen, including owners, trainers and jockeys.

According to Joyce, the parimutuel handle at Sweetwater Downs jumped 23 percent from 2011 to 2012. Attendance increased 20 percent. Purses paid to horsemen improved by 29 percent.

Race days this summer will be Aug. 17-18, Aug. 24-25, Aug. 31-Sept. 1 and Sept. 7-8.