EVANSTON, WY—AUGUST 12, 2020—With live racing handle equaling and most days surpassing the prior year, Wyoming Downs wraps up a surprisingly successful 2020 season this weekend as one of the few tracks in the country operating with spectators.

Reflecting on the nearly concluded season Frank Lamb, Director of Government Affairs put it this way:

“ I didn’t know what to expect. No one did. We were extremely cautious. The open air grandstand was easily sectioned off to allow for safe distancing, almost as if it was designed for it."

Explaining the approach to the season, Lamb said, "We hired extra security to temperature check every patron at the entrance, and we followed the protocols outlined by the National HBPA for the participants and racing. I could not be more pleased, and relieved, at how it has worked out. Our horsemen, jockeys, and employees were amazing. Everything is so much more difficult to accomplish when you have to institute these additional Covid measures, but our people did it.“

Lamb added, “I want to thank Eric Nelson for having the courage to let us move forward with this season. It was a gutsy move."

For his part, owner and general manager Eric Nelson said, "2020 has been a year to remember. We all gambled on the season with fans, and I believe it paid off. From the gaming commission to our customers, everyone really pitched in, especially the horsemen. We set a record on stalls taken and requested."

Approval for the 14 day live race season came in early June via Uinta County and Wyoming State Health officers. Among special guidelines permission required a limit of1,500 spectators per day and that the track follow all COVID related specifications.

Wyoming Downs is the only privately owned track in the state, situated in Evanston, Wyoming, approximately 75 minutes from Salt Lake City. The 2020 season, which featured events throughout, began Saturday July 4 and ends Sunday, August 16.