The fate of Blue Ribbon Downs is still up in the air after the Choctaws put it up for sale last month.
And concerned citizens are taking matters into their own hands by holding meetings and getting Washington involved.
Last week 150 people attended a meeting to figure out how to help Blue Ribbon Downs.
This morning they held another, with more than 200 people.
The meeting consisted of horsemen, trainers, and politicians,
On Thursday the group even passed around a petition and sent it to Washington in hopes they would see the track sold and jobs saved.
The Choctaws announced Blue Ribbon Downs was up for sale last month.
So far, a few groups from around the country have expressed interest in buying it.
But the people associated with the track feel like the Choctaws haven't been interested in selling. "The concern of this was there had been some people trying to buy this track but the Choctaws have shown really not much interest in talking to these people. But it seems like the attitude has changed in a week and the Choctaws have talked in to this group from Alabama in a sincere effort to sell the track and possibly save these jobs," said horsemen Ron Yates.
Judy Martins with the Sallisaw Chamber of Commerce says they hope the track sells soon, but if it doesn't, Sallisaw will continue to thrive.
"There is always a silver lining and we hope another business or conglomerate or someone will come in and purchase this and make it a viable tourist attraction again for us. But there is a silver lining to this. We're not dead in the water here," said Martins.
Ron Yates says he thinks it's the tracks impressive history that has so many people devoted to its success. "There is a lot of history on this track. A lot of the great horses have raced here. A lot of the legends have raced here. And it's a great country track," said Yates. The remaining racing days for next year at Blue Ribbon Downs have been canceled, but they have made arrangement for the days to be made up at Will Rogers Downs in Claremore, Oklahoma.
The Blue Ribbon Downs will close its doors after its final race this Saturday the 28th.
And concerned citizens are taking matters into their own hands by holding meetings and getting Washington involved.
Last week 150 people attended a meeting to figure out how to help Blue Ribbon Downs.
This morning they held another, with more than 200 people.
The meeting consisted of horsemen, trainers, and politicians,
On Thursday the group even passed around a petition and sent it to Washington in hopes they would see the track sold and jobs saved.
The Choctaws announced Blue Ribbon Downs was up for sale last month.
So far, a few groups from around the country have expressed interest in buying it.
But the people associated with the track feel like the Choctaws haven't been interested in selling. "The concern of this was there had been some people trying to buy this track but the Choctaws have shown really not much interest in talking to these people. But it seems like the attitude has changed in a week and the Choctaws have talked in to this group from Alabama in a sincere effort to sell the track and possibly save these jobs," said horsemen Ron Yates.
Judy Martins with the Sallisaw Chamber of Commerce says they hope the track sells soon, but if it doesn't, Sallisaw will continue to thrive.
"There is always a silver lining and we hope another business or conglomerate or someone will come in and purchase this and make it a viable tourist attraction again for us. But there is a silver lining to this. We're not dead in the water here," said Martins.
Ron Yates says he thinks it's the tracks impressive history that has so many people devoted to its success. "There is a lot of history on this track. A lot of the great horses have raced here. A lot of the legends have raced here. And it's a great country track," said Yates. The remaining racing days for next year at Blue Ribbon Downs have been canceled, but they have made arrangement for the days to be made up at Will Rogers Downs in Claremore, Oklahoma.
The Blue Ribbon Downs will close its doors after its final race this Saturday the 28th.
