AK-SAR-BEN Horse Racing

This website was created to celebrate a racetrack, AK-SAR-BEN, (Nebraska spelled backwards), located in Omaha, NEBRASKA until it closed in 1995. 

The year was 1983, AK-SAR-BEN ranked #9 in the NATION with an average daily  attendance of 13,655. Ak-sar-ben's daily mutuel handle averaged  $1,792,547 in 1985. Daily attendance averaged 16,018 in 1978. 

A record crowd of  31,969 attended Ak-sar-ben on July 10, 1982. A record  $3,519,883 was wagered on June 22, 1985.

Ak-Sar-Ben, one of the nation's most successful tracks until other forms of gambling began taking a toll in the late 1980s, had horse racing every year since 1919 except for two breaks. No racing was conducted from 1930 through 1934 and during the World War II years of 1943 and 1944. 

The very first race  at AK-SAR-BEN was on July 6th, 1919. It was a very informal HARNESS race. At this time AK-SAR-BEN, was attempting to become part of the Great Western Circuit that consisted of the cities , Des Moines, IA., Springfield, Ill., Minneapolis, MN., and Sedelis, Missouri. 

Harness racing was very popular in America at this time. And the very FIRST winner at the new Ak-SAR-BEN race track was a horse named,  'FRANK L',  driven by Syracuse, Nebraska's,   EARL BEEZLEY , who won by a nose over,'SADIE ARCHDALE'. Some of the spectators actually thought the latter horse won. I wonder if they had photo finishes back then??

On   September 14th, 1920 , as a capacity crowd of 8,500 gathered in the AK-SAR-BEN field. The Govenor of NEBRASKA,  S.R. McKelvie and the City of OMAHA, officially dedicated the AK-SAR-BEN Racetrack. Costs estimated at $1,000,000. Trotting, pacing and running races were held September 14th-17th. Four harness and two running races were held each day. Nearly $15,000 was distributed to the winners. Admission was 85 cents. On June 2, 1921, Ak-sar-ben held the inaugural race meeting. First stakes races: King's Derby, King's Cup, and Queen's Plate. 

The  NEW GRANDSTAND was fully erected in 1921 at a cost of $400,000 and in April, Govenor McKelvie signed a bill in which he created a Racing Commission and a new law allowed para-mutuel wagering for the first time. By 1923, purses reached $137,000. 

On May 13th, 1945, a crowd of 6,500 watched as racing RESUMED, after a two year absence, due to World War II, and never stopped, UNTIL August 7th, 1995. Then racing at Ak-Sar-Ben stopped forever. 

Most racing fans here in Nebraska are still saddened by the sudden demise of Ak-SAR-BEN. What happened?? Was it a result of a political maneuver that none of us could change!! AK-SAR-BEN was sold to Douglas County (Nebraska), and eventually CLOSED. The only thing standing in the wake of all this tragedy is the once proud GRANDSTAND.  And most who drive along 72nd & Pacific Sts. cannot help but feel a sense of nostalgia and anguish over what was once the horse racing track called, "AK-SAR-BEN". 

This website will review some of the history of AK-SAR-BEN horse racing. It will show some of the leading trainers, jockeys, owners and horses who participated and helped to make AK-SAR-BEN so successful for nearly 70 years. You wil be able to  HEAR & SEE 'LIVE'  race recalls. We must NEVER forget AK-SAR-BEN and try to keep it's memories and 'spirit' alive. Hopefully this site will allow people to learn and most of all, to relive AK-SAR-BEN'S great horse racing tradition. If anyone has anything they would like to add to this site, such as pictures, stories or advice to improve it, please e-mail us. This site is for ALL racing fans. ENJOY!!