Previously, we noted that Friends of the Multnomah County Fair requested the Oregon Racing Commission visit the idea of allowing horse racing during the fair. The fair is to be held September 29 through October 3.
While the request was put in a bit too late (hub funds are allocated at the first of the year and requests must be put in before then...also, HBPA, OTBA, etc. were not contacted) there is good reason to see horse racing at the fair in the future. According to the Multnomah County Fair website, Portland Meadows will be the site of the fair, as opposed to Oaks Park (where it has been held in the past).
We have been told that "the commission strongly encouraged the individuals representing Friends of the Multnomah County Fair to continue to pursue the various options available to conducting racing at Portland Meadows during the Multnomah County Fair."
We hope that the Friends of the Multnomah County Fair will heed this advice, and look to make horse racing an exciting and fun part of next year's fair!