BISMARCK-The North Dakota Horse Racing Commission has approved funding for horse racing to return to Fargo July 16 and 17, 23 and 24, and 30 and 31.
The commission granted the North Dakota Horse Park $200,000 in promotional funds and $115,000 for purse money on Thursday, said state Racing Director Gunner LaCour.
In November, the commission tentatively approved six days, or three weekends, of racing in Fargo, but expected the two entities that own the Fargo track to work out a plan for unpaid debt it has been saddled with since the track's opening.
Horse Race North Dakota and The North Dakota Horse Park Foundation both own parts of the track. While Horse Race North Dakota, which is licensed to operate live racing in the state, has said it was able to pay its portion of about $1.9 million in special assessments owed to the city of Fargo, the foundation could not pay its debts.
Mike Schmitz, the park's general manager, said a new board of directors was formed to operate the foundation and the two entities will work together to begin making payments to the city of Fargo as early as March 1. Schmitz is employed by Horse Race North Dakota.
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The commission approved the same amount of money for Chippewa Downs in Belcourt. The north-central track will host eight days of racing on Saturday-Sunday race weekends starting July 6.
