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Grants Pass Downs Cancels 2022 Meet

Grants Pass Downs will not hold a 2022 meeting due to lack of horses. The meet was initially announced in February.

“As a result of the Oregon Racing Commission's vote to deny an operating license to The Flying Lark, Grants Pass Downs has lost its economic engine,” said Travis Boersma, owner of Grants

Pass Downs. “While we remained hopeful we would be able to host a viable race meet, the uncertainty here and across the industry has resulted in a drastic reduction of race horses at Grants Pass Downs. At this point, it's clear running the meet isn't feasible.”

Grants Pass Downs became privately funded by Boersma beginning in 2019. The track, race meet and purses were slated to be funded by profits from The Flying Lark entertainment venue.

“This is the result of the state and its leadership's lack of understanding of, and appreciation for, the equine industry and the needs of rural Oregon. I believe this is just the beginning of a ripple effect that will be felt in communities throughout the state due to the actions of leadership,” said Boersma.

The cancellation of the race meet is expected to eliminate approximately 50 jobs during the racing season, in addition to the more than 200 lost with the denial of The Flying Lark.

“Saving horse racing in Oregon has always been one of my top priorities,” added Boersma. “Moving forward, it's my sincere hope the horsemen's associations, private investors and the state can come together to find a path to continuing this sport.”

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Economic Analysis: HHR To Help Grants Pass Downs Have $10.7 Billion Impact Over Next 30 Years

The highly anticipated gaming, entertainment and dining venue, The Flying Lark in Grants Pass, Ore., has released an economic impact study analyzing the horse racing industry in partnership with Grants Pass Downs. Independent agency Hunden Strategic Partners (HSP) identified a significant positive impact in job creation, tax and earnings impact to the local economy, as well as the opportunity to provide funding and stability to the equine industry throughout the region.

The Economic Impact Analysis identified the positive impact to Southern Oregon over the next 30 years, including:

$10.7 billion in net new spending
$3.6 billion in net new earnings
2,007 net new full-time jobs
$361.9 million in tax impact to Oregon

HSP conducted market research and interviews with representatives from local, regional and national organizations to understand the horse racing industry and its impact through three primary components: Grants Pass Downs and the Flying Lark, fair meets, and horse-related spending. The study was designed to determine the economic impact of the horse racing industry in Oregon with the Flying Lark in operation and determine the value of the Flying Lark and Grants Pass Downs within the industry in Oregon.

“The local community was surprised to learn of the significant economic impact the horse racing industry had in Oregon back in the 2012 economic impact study,” said Randy Evers, President of Grants Pass Downs. “While horse racing struggles to survive in other states, today the vision of leaders at both Grants Pass Downs and The Flying Lark will be a major factor for economic growth and stability, most importantly for Southern Oregon, but also the entire state.”

The study discloses the positive impact as industry-changing. The Flying Lark has the unique opportunity to create a legacy, putting Grants Pass and the Josephine County Fairgrounds on the map as a year-round destination. In collaboration with Grants Pass Downs, together they will help restore the horse racing industry, including horse owners, trainers, veterinarians, jockeys, and a wide range of partners, vendors, and suppliers across Oregon. There is a positive cycle of spending and impact between gaming and horse racing.

Historic Horse Racing (HHR) revenues will supplement the industry, including:

Larger purses from pari-mutuel wagering,
Boosted interest in the sport due to greater race quality,
Rising visitation stemming from growing interest,
Improved foal crops as horse ownership becomes more profitable, and
Overall positive trends within the industry.

“The Flying Lark will have a substantial impact on Thoroughbred breeding in Oregon,” said Lynnelle Fox Smith, Executive Director for the Oregon Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association. “By knowing the purses will be sizable and the facility will be successful, breeders will continue investing in broodmares, stallions, and breeding to support Oregon's agriculture.”

The Flying Lark was founded by Grants Pass Native, Travis Boersma, with a commitment to horse racing and Southern Oregon, opening in the winter of 2021. The 35,000 square-foot destination has something for everyone; including Jacks, a full service family restaurant, Longshots sports bar, the Winner's Circle bar located in the center of the state-of-the-art historical horse racing (HHR) terminal floor, based on pari-mutuel wagering, and banquet facilities.

Known for its beautiful natural scenery, parks, outdoor recreation, and wineries in Southern Oregon, The Flying Lark will also open The Wonder Walk. This world-class equine-based art walk will beautifully surround the facility and feature pieces by regional artists that celebrate horses' majestic nature, power and beauty.

About The Flying Lark

Proudly from Grants Pass, Oregon, The Flying Lark is Southern Oregon's premier gaming and entertainment destination, including an inviting family culinary dining experience and the inspiring Wonder Walk outdoor art display, featuring regional artists. The Flying Lark, named after one of the most famous stallions in Oregon's history, was designed for our customers, community and team members to celebrate the past, present and future, with the magic and beauty of horses. For more information and regular updates, visit: TheFlyingLark.com

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Operator Of Oregon’s Grants Pass To Seek Approval For Historical Horse Racing Machines

Travis Boersma, who brought racing back to Oregon at Grants Pass after the closure of the state's main racetrack, Portland Meadows, has plans to install 250 historical horse racing terminals in an adjoining restaurant and entertainment center at the Josephine County Fairgrounds in the southern Oregon town of about 35,000.

Boersma's plans were detailed in a recent article covering the state's gambling industry in the Oregonian's website, www.oregonelive.com.

The entertainment center, currently under construction, is named The Flying Lark in honor of one of the state's most famous Thoroughbred who raced in the late 1960s. Grants Pass announced plans for the entertainment center last year but did not indicate it would include historical horse racing.

A spokesperson for Oregon Gov. Kate Brown told oregonlive.com the governor will defer to the Oregon Racing Commission to determine whether or not the machines fit the definition of pari-mutuel wagering and, thus, are legal. Native American tribes, whose gaming revenue has flatelined over the last decade as the state lottery has grown, is opposed to the installation of HHR machines as are problem gambling organizations.

Grants Pass Downs Announces New Gaming, Entertainment Venue

Gaming, entertainment and dining venue The Flying Lark is coming to Grants Pass in fall 2021. Founded by entrepreneur and Grants Pass native Travis Boersma as part of a larger effort to revitalize the horse racing industry in Oregon, The Flying Lark is a significant, long-term investment in the city of Grants Pass. It will create a meaningful number of jobs, bolster the local economy, and provide vital funding and stability to the equine industry throughout the region, including horse owners, trainers, veterinarians, jockeys, and a wide range of vendors and suppliers.

Located next to Grants Pass Downs at the southwest corner of the Josephine County Fairgrounds, The Flying Lark will boast a full-service family restaurant, a grab-and-go restaurant, a sports bar, a gaming bar, a state-of-the-art gaming floor, banquet facilities and art pieces by regional artists that celebrate the magic, power and beauty of horses. Its grab-and-go offering will include coffee drinks, sweets and small bites, and two of the dining areas will offer both indoor and outdoor seating to take advantage of Grants Pass' famous climate.

The establishment is named after local racing icon Don Jackson's legendary Oregon thoroughbred who led the nation in wins for two years in the 1980s. A well-respected member of the Grants Pass community, Jackson was a long-time supporter of Grants Pass Downs. His passion for horse racing and dedication to developing interest in the sport significantly bolstered the horse racing industry in the state.

The Flying Lark – along with recent upgrades to Grants Pass Downs – is part of a transformation of the Josephine County Fairgrounds into a year-round destination for Southern Oregon and Northern California.

“We're really looking forward to the impact The Flying Lark will make both economically and culturally to our local community and the state of Oregon,” said Boersma, CEO and founder of Grants Pass Downs and The Flying Lark.

Horses have played a vital role in Oregon's history and were present throughout the region before the arrival of the Lewis and Clark Expedition in the early 1800s. The Flying Lark will feature art installations, murals, sculptures and other storytelling elements that celebrate horses and their positive impact on the State of Oregon and its rich history.

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