Decades ago, Kansas horse racing was a simple affair, with races held in pastures along the countryside. Quarter horses would line up and sprint in a straight line to see who could break a string at the other end. The sport reached its peak in 1989 with the opening of The Woodlands racetrack, but declined as slot machines and casinos became legal in the 1990s. Now, the state’s horse racing industry may see a revival with the introduction of Historical Horse Racing machines, which will support live Kansas horse racing.

The Golden Circle Casino project, led by billionaire Phil Ruffin, is set to open near Wichita with 1,000 Historical Horse Racing machines. These machines resemble slot machines but use actual horse races to determine outcomes. A portion of the proceeds from these machines will be used to support live horse racing in Kansas, with an estimated $30 million annually going towards the industry. The hope is to revitalize tracks like Eureka Downs and bring back live horse racing to the state.

The Madl family, owners of a ranch in Baldwin City, are passionate about horse racing and are actively involved in the industry. They own several Thoroughbreds and are working to support live horse racing in Kansas. With the introduction of the Historical Horse Racing machines and potential legislative support, there is optimism that the state’s horse racing industry could see a resurgence, bringing economic benefits to rural communities and reviving the love for horse racing in Kansas.