Cherokee Nation confirms it won't operate horse track


The leader of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma confirmed the tribe won't resume horse races at the Blue Ribbon Downs.

The tribe bought the property in December for $2.5 million, the Associated Press reported, citing county documents. Chief Chad Smith said the primary goal was to acquire land, not to run a track.

"We didn't buy a track. We bought 100 acres that had a track on it," Smith told the AP. Smith said the tribe might lease it as a training facility.

The Choctaw Nation bought the track in 2003 for $4.25 million and closed it last year, saying it couldn't keep the operation going.

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Cherokee chief: Racing done at Blue Ribbon Downs (AP 2/24)