48 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN February 2024 ® BY CONNOR AGRISCIENCE SILAGE BARRIER FILMS This 1958 photo of Fonner Park shows the surrounding farmland. The Nebraska-native father-son duo Marion (left) and Jack (right) Van Berg was recognized among the most successful successful trainers in U.S. Thoroughbred racing history. HORSE RACING HISTORY CONTINUED FROM PAGE 47 Lincoln Race Course, Agricultural Park in Columbus and a four-day meet in Horsemen’s Park in Omaha. Fonner Park has no shortage of history (FonnerPark.com/history), but for many years, it was overshadowed by the more popular Ak-Sar-Ben track. It was established in 1953 when a group looking for a permanent home for the Hall County Fair purchased farmland outside of Grand Island from Gus and Emma Fonner. It just so happened that the plans included a racetrack, which began a tradition that continues to this day. In the 21st century, Fonner Park has come into its own and is now a multiple-use facility that hosts not only horse racing in the spring, but the Nebraska State Fair, the Hall County Fair, national junior cattle shows and much more. “Racing became and still remains the means that enables everything to grow in the Fonner Park Complex as we know it today,” Kotulak says, echoing the sentiment from his predecessor, Bruce Swihart. “At Fonner Park, we celebrate the good ol’ days and the better days to come.” Swihart worked at Fonner Park for 43 years, 37 of them as the Fonner Park Racetrack CEO. Swihart’s father, Al Swihart, was the general manager at Fonner Park for 27 years. Given the duration of the commitment to Fonner Park by these individuals, it stands to reason that the past and the future are celebrated. February, March or April may seem like a less-than-ideal time for horse racing in Nebraska, but for the agriculture community for whom racing is a big draw, it is the best time to get away from their operations for a fun weekend before other chores such as planting, branding, breeding season and other things take priority. The rich tradition of Thoroughbred racing was, and is, Nebraska strong. For more information on springtime racing at Fonner Park, go to FonnerPark. com. The 2024 season begins Feb. 17 and runs until May 4 (Derby Day!). ~NC~
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