Horse Racing Returns for 2021

Horses race to the finish during the Gillespie County Race Meet at the Gillespie County Fair Grounds. In 2019, 2,258 fans wagered $234,386 over the two days. — Standard-Radio Post File Photo

A summer season of live pari-mutuel horse racing returns to the Gillespie County Fair Grounds in July and August.

Eight days of racing are on the 2021 schedule at the Class III track.

Sponsored by the Gillespie County Fair and Festivals Association, Inc., the weekend race meets will also include special events and activities.

The 2021 live racing season opens with the July Fourth Race Meet on Saturday and Sunday, July 3-4.

Racing action at the five-eighths mile oval continues on Saturday and Sunday, July 17-18, with the Night In Old Fredericksburg Race Meet.

The Gillespie County Race Meet is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 14-15.

Rounding out the live parimutuel racing season will be two days of races on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 28-29, as part of the 133rd Gillespie County Fair. Post time each day is 1 p.m.

As in the past, the Gillespie County Fair Grounds will offer race fans a covered grandstand, numerous betting windows, tote board, easy access and plenty of free parking.

The GCFFA is also offering mobile betting this year. Through this service betters can place their wagers through their phones.

However, the service will only work on the GCFFA premises. Patrons will need to be physically on the grounds to use that option, explained fair association officials.

General admission, reserved seating and box seating are available. The general admission seats are available in both the grandstand and in the Biergarten while the box seats are located in the grandstand.

General admission for the races is $10 for adults (ages 13 & up), $5 for children six to 12 years of age and free for children five and under. Box seats are $20 for any age.

Also available are summer season passes for $60.

Online ticketing for all Gillespie County Fair and Festivals Association-sponsored events at the fairgrounds is available through the fair association’s website at www.gillespiefair.com

In addition to the eight days of live racing at the local Class III facility, a simulcast facility is open at 35 Fair Drive for yearround wagering.

Simulcasting at The Race Barn is offered Thursdays through Sundays from horse and dog tracks around the country. The facility also includes a restaurant.

RACE DATES

• July 3-4: July Fourth Race Meet. • July 17-18: Night In Old

Fredericksburg Race Meet. • Aug. 14-15: Gillespie County Race

Meet. • Aug. 28-29: 133rd Gillespie County

Fair, which runs Aug. 26-29