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In 1982, Oklahoma voters approved pari-mutuel betting and the first pari-mutuel race at Blue Ribbon Downs occurred August 30, 1984, before twelve thousand spectators in a sweltering temperature above 100 degrees. The advent of legal gambling at the track caused a local construction boom with motels,
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Blue Ribbon Downs started when Bill Hedge bought 102 acres just west of
Sallisaw in 1960. The track soon became known as a proving ground and gained recognition from the American Quarter Horse Association in 1963. Hedge sold the track to an investment group in 1973.it permanently closed in 2009.and
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Over time, the popularity of gambling on horse racing waned and the track struggled financially with several owners, filing bankruptcy in 1997 and again in 2002. In 2003 the
Cherokee Nation bought Blue Ribbon Downs and infused it with capital. In 2005 the new owners converted it to a "racino," a
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combination horse racetrack and casino. The track continued to struggle, and closed permanently after their races on
November 28, 2009.
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the grandstands we're demolished in 2022. only the track and barns remain as a training facility.
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restaurants, and other businesses locating near the track.
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Blue Ribbon Downs To Open Jan. 24, Thanks to Rent, Law
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219:"Cherokee chief: Racing done at Blue Ribbon Downs"
304:Defunct horse racing venues in the United States
319:Demolished buildings and structures in Oklahoma
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179:Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture
133:events until it closed permanently in 2009.
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324:Buildings and structures demolished in 2022
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16:Defunct horse racing track in Oklahoma, US
257:City initiates foreclosure on Blue Ribbon
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314:2010 disestablishments in Oklahoma
229:from the original on June 10, 2015
206:Choctaws to sell Blue Ribbon Downs
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193:Choctowpurchase Blue Ribbon Downs
309:1963 establishments in Oklahoma
217:Evans, Murray (March 2, 2010).
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183:Retrieved October 11, 2013.
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225:. Native American Times.
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63: (61 years ago)
124:American Quarter Horse
122:. The facility hosted
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146:Parimutuel wagering
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38:Sallisaw, Oklahoma
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104:Blue Ribbon Downs
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128:Thoroughbred
108:horse racing
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87:Thoroughbred
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131:flat racing
94:Course type
76:Date closed
58:Date opened
298:Categories
271:94°50′41″W
268:35°27′33″N
164:References
155:Bankruptcy
233:April 16,
84:Race type
227:Archived
120:Oklahoma
112:Sallisaw
48:Owned by
34:Location
137:History
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126:, and
235:2021
97:Flat
79:2009
68:1963
61:1963
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