Cherokees ask for federal trust status for Will Rogers Downs

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ The Cherokee Nation is planning to ask the federal government to place Will Rogers Downs race track in federal trust. <br/><br/>Such a move would remove the track at Claremore from

Friday, April 21st 2006, 10:29 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ The Cherokee Nation is planning to ask the federal government to place Will Rogers Downs race track in federal trust.

Such a move would remove the track at Claremore from property tax rolls, change how the state Horse Racing Commission regulates the track and allow for more electronic gaming.

There are now 250 electronic gaming machines at the track. If the government agrees to place the track in trust the tribe plans to add about 200 more gaming machines plus 12 blackjack and 12 poker tables.

An assistant attorney general says if the trust request is approved the governor would have to negotiate a compact with the tribe on horse racing activities at the track.