TUCSON (KGUN9-TV) - Horse racing is up and running again in Tucson. Today was opening day at Rillito Park Racetrack.
The 2016 racing season is not starting without a that's not without a few snags along the way.
As late as December there was no guarantee racing would begin on time. There is a guarantee racing will stay here through 2017.
At the beginning of the year there was question about whether or not horses would run here at all this year. Part of the reason for that was the growing demand for the soccer fields.
There had been talks about moving horse racing somewhere else in Pima County to make room for more soccer.
The Rillito Park Foundation envisions both soccer and racing here. The long term future of soccer and racing still need to be hashed out.
Foundation President Jay Wells is happy to see the crowds, "we knew the crowd would come out, the weather blessed us, this place is packed. We sold out of our onsite parking at 1:30. Tucsonans love their horse racing and we're glad to provide the fun."
Today featured a smaller racing field because some horses were unable to make the trip to Tucson because they are under quarantine in Phoenix over concern of equine herpes.
The quarantine is expected to be lifted by next week.
Hose racing at Rillito Park Racetrack continues through March 20.
