For many who grew up in the Midwest, horse racing meant a trip to Omaha, Nebraska. Closed since 1986, Ak-Sar-Ben race track memories span eight pages celebrating the horses, jockeys, trainers and fans. The name Ak-Sar-Ben is Nebraska spelled backwards.
Source: American Racehorse, September/October 2016, page 19.
According to Jack VanBerg, Hall of Fame trainer, Ak-Sar-Ben was a very important part of the local community. ‘Part of it was (Ak-Sar-Ben) was a non-profit organization, so they gave every little town in Nebraska a rescue unit, an ambulance and fire trucks,’ he explained. ‘And they did so much for the kids – 4-H scholarships and stuff. People would come there just for a great afternoon.’