Debut of live horse racing at Bally's Cheyenne Park delayed until 2027

The Wyoming Gaming Commission and Bally’s Wyoming have announced that the first live horse racing event at Bally’s Cheyenne Park, originally planned for October, will now take place in 2027. This decision was made after careful consideration of the work still needed at the facility, and the joint commitment of both organizations to ensure a top-notch racing and guest experience from the start.

Both entities agree that allocating extra time for construction, testing, inspections, and operational preparations will best prepare Bally’s Cheyenne Park for a successful debut and support the expansion of Wyoming’s racing industry. Nicholas Larramendy, executive director of the Wyoming Gaming Commission, emphasized that safety is the foundation of live horse racing in Wyoming and that the Commission acknowledges the substantial progress made by Bally’s since acquiring the project.

Will Edwards, who has been working to bring live horse racing to Laramie County for years, previously announced that Thunder Plains Park, a mile-long track under construction 10 miles east of Cheyenne, would be owned by Bally’s. The Wyoming Gaming Commission authorized Cowboy Racing, a company affiliated with Thunder Plains, to conduct 16 days of live racing in 2026 at the Cheyenne Park location.

Bally’s general manager, Kerry Smith, stated that the progress made at Bally’s Cheyenne Park builds on a solid foundation, including the existing one-mile oval, barns, and other essential infrastructure. The Wyoming Gaming Commission and Bally’s will continue to collaborate closely during the development and regulatory review process, and a future racing schedule will be discussed at the upcoming annual fall meeting in Casper on November 19-20.