A Kentucky-bred mare named Miss Gunny narrowly crossed the finish line first. A crescendo of excited screams and yelling surged among spectators at the final turn. Scattered cheers of support rang out from the crowd, but most watched the first few hundred yards of the 5 1/2 furlong race in quiet anticipation. The race horses sprung out of the gate at the start, and a low rumble settled across the grounds as they came down the straightaway of the freshly groomed dirt track.
Most kept to the shade in the nearly 100 degree heat. Racing programs and betting tickets flapped in a stiff breeze at Grants Pass Downs in July as several dark bay and chestnut thoroughbreds reached the starting gate for the first of eight races on the final day of the spring and summer season at the only commercial horse racing track in OregonĪ crowd in boots and cowboy hats, young Latino families and some folks casually dressed in shorts and flip-flops, watched from the tall grandstand and from tables and chairs underneath.
