Racing to Cease at Blue Ribbon Down after November 28

News9.com 

SALLISAW, Oklahoma -- The Choctaw Nation has decided to close the Blue Ribbon Downs track when the current season ends November 28, a spokesperson for the Choctaw Nation announced today.

"The sport of horse racing is struggling nationwide," said Judy Allen, tribal spokeswoman, "We did our best and invested a lot of money to improve the local racing experience, but there just was not enough patron support to continue to operate the track."

All full time and part time track and adjacent casino employees who stay through the closing will receive their full salary and health benefits through December.

Any employees who wish to relocate to the Durant area will be have an opportunity to apply for one of the 1,000 new jobs available in the Choctaw Nation's expanded hotel and casino scheduled to open in February 2010.

Blue Ribbon Downs was the state's first pari-mutuel horse racing track and had twice been in bankruptcy in 1997 and 2002. The Choctaw Nation purchased the facility in November 2003, one day before the track was to be sold at a sheriff's auction.