Mormon History

Utah Horse Racing

A History of Horse Racing in Utah

By Steve Luhm
The Salt Lake Tribune
Salt Lake Tribune

Horse racing and pari-mutuel wagering have a long history in Utah.

    In July 1897, daily races were held at Calder's Park as part of the first Utah Pioneer Jubilee, which commemorated the 50th anniversary of the arrival of the Mormon settlers.

    The state banned pari-mutuel wagering in 1913, but it was reintroduced 12 years later after a bill sponsored by Rep. Charles Redd was passed by the state legislature.

    On July 2, 1925, an estimated crowd of 10,000 attended the return of pari-mutuel racing at the Utah State Fairgrounds. Among those present were Gov. George Dern and LDS Church president Heber J. Grant.

    Two years later, however, pari-mutuel wagering was banned again after allegations of corruption within the state racing commission eroded support in the legislature, within the LDS Church and among prominent businessmen.

    In 1927 - the same year a young jockey named Johnny Longden won the first race of his Hall of Fame career aboard a horse named Hugo K. Asher at the fairgrounds - pari-mutuel wagering was banned again.

    A well-organized, well-financed effort managed to get the pari-mutuel issue on the ballot in 1992, and early polls indicated the measure had a good chance of passing. After late opposition to the referendum by the LDS Church, however, it was easily defeated.

    It is unlikely pari-mutuel racing will ever return to Utah.

    As recently as April 2005, LDS Church president Gordon Hinckley spoke out against gambling.

    "It becomes addictive," Hinckley said. "In so many cases it leads to other destructive habits and behavior."

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