Go West, Young Man, at least to Pahrump

The phrase “Go West, young man” is a phrase that often is credited to esteemed author and newspaper editor Horace Greeley, first, in the mid-1800’s.

Greeley went on to say that a place like Washington, D.C. is not an ideal choice because “the rents are high, the food is bad, the dust is disgusting, and the morals are deplorable.”

At least two of those reasons are true to this very day but those words, “Go west” just might be a bright spot in the world of harness racing, especially in view of the number of tracks that have disappeared over the last half century—both pari-mutuel and fair tracks.

About 60 or 62 miles west of Las Vegas, Nevada, there is the small town of Pahrump—population 38,390 as of 2020…but probably 45,000 today.

Despite its size and the fact that I had never heard of Pahrump until recently, my friends out west in Nevada and California say it’s a very robust place with all the amenities of a big city…and more.

Yes, Pahrump has resorts, RV parks, excellent restaurants and other “precious luxuries” like award winning wineries and the beauty of Mt. Charleston, as well as our planet’s oldest towering, beautiful trees…museums, too.

And, yes, they do have casinos…and plans are going forward at a 1:46 pace for their first “racino.” And, yes, it’s going to be in Pahrump.

They have come a long way since their first paved road in the early 1950’s and telephone service about 10 years later.

Pahrump may have gotten a bit of a late start, but they are making up for lost time, especially with the planned racino that will enhance harness racing in the west. (Anyone out there in Harnesslink land remember Hollywood Park or Santa Anita?)

The plans call for a mega-entertainment complex which would include a 40,000 square foot casino with a 7/8-mile racetrack with stable confines for some 280 horses.

Additionally, there will be 96 on-site dormitory living quarters for caretakers and track employees.

The Pahrump plans also call for shopping, restaurants, campgrounds and a water park, as well as a movie theater and batting cages.

Also, a center would be built hosting community events to enhance Nevada agriculture with programs for Future Farmers of America and 4-H, among others.

Recreational Vehicles would be welcome with accommodations for 200 RV’s.

Initial plans would call for racing dates beginning in late October and continuing through the end of May with simulcasting included year around.

Racing dates would dodge the sweltering summer months with average highs during the racing season in the 60-70 degree range Fahrenheit.

Tim Bohannon, President of the Nevada Standardbred Association, said that “if all goes well, we could have our first pari-mutuel race within two years, possibly October of 2024, which is not that far away.”

Bohannon is looking to be the “centerfold” for a year-round circuit of harness racing west of the Mississippi with participants from Running Aces, Iowa tracks and Cal-Expo in California with tracks north of the border in play, as well.

“Century Downs (Alberta, Canada) and Century Mile (Edmonton) are also on the radar here along with Fraser Downs and the Great Western Fair Circuit,” he added.

“We are in a unique situation where we can revolutionize and modernize the sport and we are in the process of jumping over the hurdles to do just that!” Tim Bohannon said.

Bohannon is also talking about a breeding program for Nevada which would prop up the harness racing industry in the “Silver State.”

“It’s certainly not too early to think about a breeding program here as we would like to have something going for the youngsters when we begin late in the year. They do start those two-year-olds early so it might be advantageous that we have a program for them late in the year when they have had a chance to mature a bit more.

“We hope that horsemen and women that hop on the bandwagon here will benefit greatly by getting in on the breeding program early and we will be working on the details in short order when we jump over a couple of more hurdles,” Bohannon said.

Integrity will be a keynote for track as the focus will be on clean racing and safe racing.

“Nevada has some very strict regulations when it comes to gaming and we plan on championing those regulations every time a horse goes back of the starting gate,” Bohannon said.

In addition to providing hundreds of employment opportunities, the Pahrump Valley Equine Center of Excellence will be a draw for area attractions.

Bohannon closed by saying, “We expect to have a state-of-the-art reclamation process including an onsite waste processing facility which would deter flies and pests.”

The equine industry contributes close to $40 billion to the economy here in the United States and, according to the American Horse Council, there are 1.4 million employed on a full-time basis.

The little town of Pahrump plans to become a big player in the industry.

Horace Greeley may have had some good foresight in the 1850’s that stretches all the way to today.

“Go West!”

(For further information, call the Nevada Standardbred Association at 1-702-449-2061).

by John Berry, for Harnesslink