Help RTIP's Joe Longo rally support for Rillito Park
 

To the horse racing community,

As some of you may or may not be aware, Pima County officials are deliberating the fate of Rillito Park Race Track here in Tucson, Arizona. It is currently an issue that has been added to the agenda that will take place in January of 2016. The tentative winter opening date is scheduled for January 30th.

The Pima county officials are faced with the task of determining whether Rillito Park Race Track should be exclusively a soccer destination or a multi-use facility that would include horse racing.

If you were ever affiliated with Rillito Park Race Track, the Race Track Industry Program at the University of Arizona, the horse racing industry in general, or just a fan, I urge to you contact the Pima county officials at their email addresses listed below. It is imperative that we come together at this time. The potential closure will have both short term and long term effects that will be felt for years after this decision is made. Rillito Park employs many people in the town, supports the breeding industry, and serves as a learning lab for the future leaders of the horse racing industry.

I thank you all for your anticipated support in this matter.

sharon.bronson@pima.gov Supervisor District 3
ally.miller@pima.gov Supervisor District 1
ramon.valadez@pima.gov Supervisor District 2
richard.elias@pima.gov Supervisor District 5
ray.carroll@pima.gov Supervisor District 4
chh@pima.gov County Administrator, Chuck Huckelberry
robin.brigode@pima.gov Clerk of Court

Joe Longo
Graduate Student-University of Arizona-RTIP
longo@email.arizona.edu

RIP....the internal politics on this one makes it a case closed I am afraid.

And, in Mike Weiss, there's an operator poised and committed to making it go..

This morning, the County's supervisors met and came to a decision on Rillito Park's fate. They have agreed to a 2 year contract with the track, and will revisit the topic afterwards. No word yet on when the season will actually start, but most likely mid February. Thank you to all of those who sent in their support!

Congrats to Longo who was key to outcome..
http://webcms.pima.gov/cms/One.aspx?...&pageId=236959

sweet, hoping for my annual visit mid-Feb. :{>: