The Mississippi Horse Park is set to host its first Mississippi Trotting Association-sanctioned harness race Sunday if the weather leading into the event cooperates.
Rain is expected to move into the Golden Triangle today, and precipitation could render the track unusable for the event.
Horse Park Director Bricklee Miller said her staff will continue to monitor the weather and track conditions through Saturday and report any postponements to the park’s Facebook page and on a recorded message accessible by calling 662-325-9350.
“It really depends on how much rain we get,” Miller said. “We’re supposed to get a ton of rain, but hopefully it will dry out in time for the races.”
Miller, an Oktibbeha County supervisor, will also post updates to her Twitter account, @BrickleeMiller.
Ten races are scheduled for the event, which will begin at 3 p.m. Sunday.
Sanctioned harness races are possible again after the Mississippi State University Extension Service renovated the horse park’s five-eighths-mile track, which again meets U.S. Trotting Association standards.
Bleachers are available to the public, but attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or use their pickup truck’s beds as seats.
Concessions will be available.
Admission is $5.
In June, the horse park will host the Mississippi National Barrel Race Horse Association State Championship Show. The event, scheduled June 9-12, will consist of state contestants who previously competed in preliminary shows across Mississippi. Admission to the event is free.
MSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine will also host one section of its freshman team-building orientation at the facility on June 23.
On Aug. 5, the horse park will host the Oktibbeha County Relay for Life.
For more about the Mississippi Horse Park, visit MSHorsePark.com or visit its Facebook page.
Carl Smith covers Starkville and Oktibbeha County for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter @StarkDispatch
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