Thunder Plains promoters present Cheyenne racetrack plans and warn House Bill 85 could undercut purses and local oversight

Representatives of Thunder Plains Racetrack and Cowboy Racing presented city council members with plans for a full-mile horse racetrack east of Cheyenne and asked for local support for three off‑track betting (OTB) locations in the city, while warning that proposed state legislation could undermine the connection between gaming revenue and live racing.

Will Edwards, identified in the presentation as a principal with Thunder Plains and Cowboy Racing and the track developer, said the group has spent about $5.5 million to date and has secured approvals from the Wyoming Gaming Commission and Laramie County. "We have a full length, a completed track by the definition of the Wyoming Gaming Commission," Edwards said. He and his partners said their first scheduled race day is Sept. 24, 2025, and that simulcasting and historical horserace wagering (HHR) machines at OTB locations will supply purse money and operating revenue.

The presentation named three Cheyenne locations planned as OTB venues: Westby Edge (an events site), the Old Chicago building (described as a flagship with dining, a bar and roughly four to five terminals in the dining area) and the former firehouse building, which the developers said they would use for offices and data services if ultimately…