Bluffs Run Greyhound Park used to bring in hundreds of people, but over the past decade greyhound racing has become a dying industry. On Friday, the dogs will race the track for the final time.
“So this was a big deal back in 1986,” said Bo Guidry the General Manager of Horseshoe Casino.
A big deal in the 80’s is a financial drain today.
“There are other things people want to spend their entertainment dollars on. We lose $9.5 million a year racing here,” said Guidry.
Bo Guidry says his company has wanted to cut ties with the track, but it wasn’t easy.
“As part of our agreement with the state to have a casino license you had to be attached to this dog track. In 2008 the law was changed that you could have a land based facility and not be attached to a racing track,” said Guidry.
Even though the casino is losing money, they still have to pay the Iowa Greyhound Association yearly to supplement the dogs’ owners.
“You're supplementing an industry to a tune of 9.5 million to 10 million dollars a year. Why would they want to give that up,” said Guidry.
After years of negotiating, in 2014 the Iowa Legislature passed a bill to officially end greyhound racing at Horseshoe Casino on December 18th.
Come Friday, Dozens of dogs will be introduced to a world outside of racing. Clark is proof that life is still great after leaving the track.
“He just settled right in and he is a great addition to our family,” said Beth Field.
Clark’s owner Beth Field says greyhounds have no problem going from work life to home life.
“You can see how well adjusted they are and it's simply because of all the training and the environment they're brought up in during their racing days,” said Field.
Thanks to the efforts of Heartland Greyhound Adoption, 30 dogs who are losing their jobs at the track on Friday will be placed in foster homes while they wait for their forever homes.
“These dogs are ready to be pets,” said Field.
Heartland Greyhound Adoption will be holding a meet and greet for the greyhounds on Saturday December 19th from 11-2pm at Canfields near 84th and West Center Road.
Horseshoe Casino management says that Bluffs Run sits on nine prime acres off of I-80 and they hope to develop this area into more hotel space in Council Bluffs.
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