Eureka Downs

Horse Racetrack
Eureka Downs
Location	Eureka, Kansas United States
Owner	Greenwood County Fair Association
Opened	1903
Closed	2011
Race type	Quarter Horses
Principal Races
Kansas Bred Futurity

Eureka Downs was an American horse racing track located near U.S. Route 54 in Eureka, Greenwood County, Kansas. Run by the Greenwood County Fair Association, the facility hosted Standardbred harness racing, American Quarter Horse, and Thoroughbred flat racing events.

The track was originally built nearby in 1872, but relocated to the present location in 1902. It opened for its first season of racing in 1903, with Thoroughbred and harness racing until 1942 when the track closed for two years due to the outbreak of World War II. Racing resumed in 1945. In 1962 the Fair Association purchased land adjacent to the track to extend the track and build a 440-yard straightaway section to run American Quarter Horse races. The track also held Greyhound racing events on certain race days. The original grandstand burned in 1964 and was replaced.

The Downs was funded by entry fees, concessions, stable fees, and spectator tickets, and much of the labor at the track was provided by volunteers. At the track's peak in the 1970s, purse distribution was over $150,000 for the Futurity race date. Over time, however, interest in the sport declined and the track struggled to remain profitable.

In 1986, Kansas voters approved Parimutuel betting at horse and dog racing facilities. 67% of Greenwood County residents approved the measure. In 1988, local businessmen raised $41,000 to fund a feasibility study to bring Parimutuel betting to Eureka Downs to improve the track's profitability and bring visitors and industry to Eureka. The study projected attendance of 1,585 per day, with an average daily handle of $87,810 with an average bet of $67.50. The expected annual economic impact to Eureka was $15 million and the track was projected to employ 180 to 200 people.

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