The Rise and Fall of the Ak-Sar-Ben

More than a century ago, one of the most popular horse racing tracks in America called Nebraska home. Ak-Sar-Ben in Omaha drew race fans from across the Midwest, flourishing in the state’s largest city. That is until the 1990s when the track vanished. But how did Ak-Sar-Ben go from being the place to be to shuttering its gates for good? Nebraska Public Media’s Bill Kelly finds out, and explains how now, nearly 30 years later, Nebraska voters have Once Again put the state in the horse racing business. We'd love to hear your feedback on the podcast! Please answer a few questions in this short survey: NebraskaPublicMedia.org/podsurvey© 2025 Nebraska Public Media Foundation. All rights reserved.  Discover images and additional information about the series at https://NebraskaPublicMedia.org/onceagain.