For nearly two decades, Eureka Downs has stood quiet. The barns, once alive with the shuffle of hooves and the hum of race-day anticipation, sat weathered and empty. Tornadoes tore through. Vegetation crept across the racing surface. Time did what time does.
But this year, the oldest surviving racetrack west of the Mississippi is stirring again.
And if you ask General Manager Mike Weiss, the man steering the comeback, the project feels a little like starring in an equine-themed episode of HGTV’s Fixer Upper — only with higher stakes and a lot more dirt.
“It’s a challenge,” Weiss said with a grin. “But it’s the right challenge.”
Rebuilding From The Ground Up
Weiss has spent months assessing what it will take to bring Eureka Downs back to life. The answer: almost everything.
“The barns and buildings have been largely abandoned since 2011,” he said. “Some survived tornadoes. Some didn’t. Before we can run a single race, we have to rebuild the track, install new rail, renovate the jockeys’ quarters, and overhaul the tote and video systems.”
The track itself is undergoing a $2.2 million reconstruction — a complete rebuild from the bottom layer up. Crews are removing vegetation, eliminating a long-standing swamp issue, and hauling in new surface material that meets modern safety standards.
The first turn will be slightly banked. A barrier wall will rise along the creek. And the new Duralock safety rail — engineered for impact absorption and flexibility — will replace the outdated metal rail that once lined the oval.
“Safety standards have changed dramatically in the last 16 years,” Weiss said. “We’re not just putting up a fence. We’re building a modern, data-driven racing environment focused on biomechanics, consistency and long-term sustainability.”
A Community With Skin in the Game
While contractors handle the heavy machinery, the people of Eureka have taken on the rest.
Volunteers have cleared debris from barns, offices and the clubhouse. Students from the Eureka Junior/Senior High School painted the Braden Room and helped remove outdated equipment. Locals dismantled the old rail by hand.
“The community wants this,” Weiss said. “They’re proud of this place. They’re helping bring their gem back to life.”
A New Funding Model for a New Era Kansas racing once depended on in-person wagering and a simulcast wagering. Today, the landscape looks very different.
The state’s 1,000 Historical Horse Racing machines at Gilley’s in Park City now funnel 3% of their handle directly into Kansas horse racing — a game-changer for purses, operations and longterm viability.
“Horsemen will see better purses and better facilities,” Weiss said. “Patrons will see new video boards, upgraded graphics, instant replays and more cameras for fan engagement. And the state should see more breeding barns moving in.”
Local businesses are already preparing for the ripple effect: more visitors, more overnight stays, more dollars spent in restaurants and gas stations.
A Three-Year Plan to Grow the Meet Eureka Downs plans to open with 12 race days in 2026, expand to 20 in 2027 and reach 44 by 2028.
“Year one is the wow factor,” Weiss said. “New rail, new boards, new track — everything fresh. By year two, we hope to add more stalls or another barn, maybe remodel the entrance, maybe export our signal. By year three, we want the world watching and wagering.”
The goal is simple: full barns, year-round training, and a racing product strong enough to sustain a 44-day meet.
“Better money brings better horses, better jockeys and better trainers,” he said.
Attracting Horses Back to Kansas With only about 220 registered or certified racehorses currently in the state, Weiss knows he must draw in trainers and owners from across the region.
The purse structure and race dates are designed to complement — not compete with — Remington Park, Nebraska and Prairie Meadows. And Weiss is exploring a Kansas-Owned race to encourage more locals to get involved until the Kansas-bred population grows.
Marketing a Revival Weiss envisions a festival- style meet filled with special promotions, local talent, themed days and a closing celebration tied to the Breeders’ Cup.
“We want this to feel like a party,” he said. “Something the whole community can be proud of.”
Addressing the Distance Question Some locals have wondered whether Weiss’ residence outside Eureka affects his leadership. He doesn’t shy away from the topic.
“Most of the work so far has been political, administrative or planning — things that can be done remotely,” he said. “But I visit monthly, attend all fair board meetings, and starting in August I’ll be on site full time through the end of the meet.”
Race days will run Saturdays and Sundays from Sept. 26 through Nov. 1.
Why Take On a Defunct Track? 2 | Page Racing Toward Revival: Eureka Downs Rises Again By Justine Staten, Kansas Horse Council Weiss was semi-retired when the opportunity came along. But he couldn’t walk away.
“I love horse racing,” he said. “I spent 22 of the best years of my life as a general manager in this industry. And I mentor students at the University of Arizona’s Racetrack Industry Program — the future leaders of our sport.”
What worries him is the national trend: tracks owned by casinos or corporations that keep racing only for gaming compliance, not passion.
“Racing is barely hanging on in some places,” he said. “But smaller tracks give us hope. Kansas has a real opportunity here.”
A Vision Bigger Than One Track Weiss believes the revival of Eureka Downs could spark something larger — a resurgence in breeding, farming, jobs and rural economic development.
“This can create a butterfly effect,” he said. “New beauty, new business, new tourism, new opportunities.”
He imagines young Kansans discovering careers in racing — from veterinary science to nutrition, training, ownership or sports rehab.
“My goal is to help the Greenwood County Fair Association create something special,” he said. “A model others will want to replicate.”
And when the dust rises from the construction of the track and the new rail gleams in the Kansas sun, it will be clear, the comeback is on the homestretch!
