The Ponies Hope to Return to Les Bois Park

According to published reports live horse racing is hoping to make a return to Boise's Les Bois park in 2017. The racing stopped in August 2015 when the legislature ruled the historical racing machines being used by Treasure Valley Racing to bet on past races were basically slot machines which are illegal in Idaho. The income from those machines had allowed Treasure Valley Racing to double the average purse for live races, from $1.3 million to $2.3 million, without that income the live racing season was cancelled and Les Bois Park has been silent since. Treasure Valley Racing plans to submit a new application for live racing, simulcasts and historical racing. However, the TVR wants clarification on the status of historical racing even though Idaho racing president John Sheldon feels his company has found a legal way to bring back the machines without new legislation. Obviously there are furlongs to go before the ponies break from the gate in 2017 but apparently the race is on!.