LINCOLN- Following last week's inaugural race at Legacy Downs Racetrack, the Nebraska Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association couldn't have been happier, despite the not-so-ideal conditions. Optimism was pervasive among the association's team, and Lynne McNally, CEO of the organization, said she couldn't help but imagine what the future of racing would look like in Nebraska.

The race, which lasted a little more than a minute, saw Julie Jean, a horse ridden by Bryan McNeil, win the race by five lengths over Inewageallikethat as about 200 onlookers braved the cold, standing on the hard pan near where a grandstand is set to be built. "From now on, it's all up from here," said Garald Wollesen, president of the Nebraska Horsemen.

While the amenities might've been spartan, the track itself fared well on its inaugural run. "I think it did pretty good for the conditions," said Grant Dreher, superintendent of Legacy Downs, "I'd like to see a little bit more moisture, but we did what we could with the freezing temperatures."

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