Rillito Racetrack will begin its horse racing season this afternoon with all the pageantry afforded any sport's opening day.
Fans will take a curious walk around, looking for any changes to the historic track. Quarter horses will run in the Dale Shirley Memorial, an event named after Rillito's longtime president and general manager. The grandstand itself will gleam, hardly showing its 45 years of age.
For a day, the track's recent woes will fade away like a 30-to-1 long shot down the stretch.
"Opening day is one of our busiest days of the year," general manager Pat White said. "It's just so much fun."
However, a dispute over the simulcasting of races has forced Rillito to trim its season from seven weeks to just four and threatens the financial future of Tucson's historic racetrack. If that weren't bad enough, plans to tear down the track in 2010 have put Rillito's very future in doubt.
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Fans will need to be the lifeblood of the track if it is to remain a relevant part of Tucson's sports scene. More than 5,000 of them are expected to be in the stands for today's 1 p.m. first post.
"This year, especially, our success comes from the community," said Jim Collins, the track's assistant racing secretary and spokesman. "If people come out and enjoy the races, bet them, have a good time and learn the game a little bit, that helps us. If they come out two or three times in the course of the season to support the community and the racetrack, that's even better.
"We're already under the gun."
Rillito's simulcasting problem started Dec. 31 when its contract expired with Turf Paradise racetrack in Phoenix, the state's simulcasting permit holder. Rillito tried to renegotiate the deal in an attempt to get a larger percentage of the horse racing profits while limiting the power of Tucson Greyhound Park, its partner in negotiations.
Tucson's two tracks have been unable to come to an agreement. State law prohibits them from negotiating with the Phoenix track independently.
"If we had that money, we would have run for seven weeks," White said flatly. "That's the way it is."
Collins said the lack of simulcast money, "could put us out of business."
Rillito Racetrack's temporary problems have forced a more pressing issue — the possible demolition of the track — to the back burner.
The Pima County Board of Supervisors voted in August to tear down the track in 2010 and move horse racing to a proposed facility in Marana. The county owns the land where Rillito Racetrack is located and continues to pay for its maintenance. Recently, the county contributed $80,000 for renovations.
For now, however, officials at the racetrack are focused on putting on races — even if the season isn't as long as they would like.
"There's beauty at this track," Collins said. "We have a five-eighths mile track, … a glass-enclosed clubhouse and wonderful tables. When the quarter horses run, you're right on the track. It's a lot of fun."
RACING AT Rillito
Races run every Saturday and Sunday through March 4:
First post 1 p.m.; gates open at 11 a.m.
Tickets: $3 for general admission, $5 to get into the clubhouse, VIP tables $25
Location: 4502 N. First Ave., Tucson
