Last dash: Greyhound racing in Iowa comes to end

Greyhounds run in an April 16 race on the Iowa Greyhound Park in Dubuque. Sunday is the observe’s final day of operation. (Charlie Neibergall/Related Press)

DUBUQUE — There was a time when site visitors jams have been brought on by vehicles both arriving or leaving what was then referred to as Dubuque Greyhound Park.

“If you happen to have been in a sure lane while you have been leaving and lived in Dubuque,” Mike Brannon of Dubuque recalled, “you’d be compelled to go to Wisconsin after which flip round to go dwelling.”

That was when the observe averaged 2,856 clients per racing program in 1985, its preliminary season. The opening evening had a crowd of 4,249, together with Gov. Terry Branstad. Earlier than one in all that night’s races, younger males in white tuxedos led the greyhounds to the beginning field.

“There was a elaborate restaurant right here within the ‘80s and ‘90s, with carpeted flooring and white tablecloths and waitresses and waiters.” Brannon stated.

Brannon and loads of different individuals have been right here final Wednesday evening at what’s now referred to as The Iowa Greyhound Park, a part of Q On line casino. Racing seasons right here used to go from early spring to November, but it surely’s only a truncated, monthlong 2022 season that ends this afternoon. Then, greyhound racing can be performed in Iowa for good.

The observe’s seating space was stuffed final Wednesday evening, even with a 5:30 p.m. beginning time for the racing. Lots of people who hadn’t been to the observe in a very long time got here again for one final go to, one final trifecta field.

“Nostalgia,” stated Brannon.

“If it had this help, it could by no means have to shut,” stated Dubuque’s Kris Honest. Her mom, Diana Fettkether, has labored on the observe since 1989.

This was inevitable. After this yr, solely two tracks within the nation will stay open. Each are in West Virginia. Not sufficient canine can be obtainable for Dubuque’s observe to maintain operations. Lots of Dubuque’s canine had raced in Florida in Florida within the winter, however in 2018 Floridians voted by a whopping margin to outlaw wagering on greyhound races.

Florida had lengthy been the hub of the business. There have been about 60 canine tracks within the U.S. when Iowa legalized parimutuel racing and the Dubuque facility opened. Florida had 11 open only a few years in the past.

Animal-safety considerations introduced the matter to a vote. However greyhound racing started dying a sluggish demise as different types of playing have been legalized in Iowa and throughout the nation.

The Dubuque observe was ultimately allowed so as to add slot machines, then the power grew to become a full-fledged on line casino. A vivid instance Wednesday of how various things are gambling-wise in 2022 in comparison with 1985 was seen on a on line casino TV display right here.

An ESPN program had a graphic exhibiting the betting odds on that evening’s Pittsburgh Penguins-New York Rangers NHL sport. You might have wagered on that contest right here, on the on line casino’s sportsbook. Or, you may have stayed dwelling and used your cellphone to position a authorized wager.

In 1985, the Dubuque greyhound observe was the only place for authorized playing in Iowa. Then canine tracks opened in Waterloo and Council Bluffs. Horse racing observe Prairie Meadows opened in 1989. Then playing on riverboats started. The boats ultimately have been changed by brick-and-mortar casinos. Authorized sports activities betting began in 2019.

However greyhound racing was a giant darn deal right here for some time. Dubuque’s financial system was within the tank in 1985. The town bought into the canine observe enterprise, and it was a big gamble that paid off. Out-of-towners got here to city.

Many arrived in chartered buses from Illinois and Wisconsin to wager on canine operating as much as 45 mph for simply over 30 seconds.

You might not be capable of think about such a factor when you have’t attended a canine race. You might not be capable of fathom a public-address announcer saying “Let’s meet the athletes” because the canine are walked on the observe to the beginning field.

“Right here comes Julien!” the announcer will shout for the final time right here at the moment because the mechanical bone-shaped lure circles the observe and eight greyhounds are launched to pursue it. The lure is known as in honor of Julien Dubuque, one of many first settlers of this space.

The unique Julien is lengthy gone. Quickly sufficient, his namesake can be as effectively.

“It’s the top of an period,” stated Brannon, who preferred the Dubuque observe for one more motive.

“I adopted a greyhound from right here. I cherished having it as a pet. It could run within the yard for 45 seconds and lay on the sofa for 23 hours.”

Feedback: (319) 398-8440; mike.hlas@thegazette.com