GRANTS PASS, OR—APRIL 12, 2020—Travis Boersma has plans to install 250 historical horse racing terminals in a restaurant and entertainment center adjacent to Grants Pass Downs. 

The founder of Dutch Bros. Coffee, Boersma brought racing back to Oregon at Grants Pass Downs after the 2019 closure of the state's largest racetrack, Portland Meadows. His plans were covered in a recent article about the state's gambling industry on The Oregonian's website, oregonelive.com. 

The restaurant and entertainment center, named The Flying Lark, is currently under construction. A spokesperson for Oregon Gov. Kate Brown told The Oregonian that the governor will defer to the Oregon Racing Commission to determine whether or not the machines fit the definition of pari-mutuel wagering and, therefore, are legal. 

Grants Pass Downs is scheduled to begin its 19-day spring meet on May 10, with live racing scheduled for Mondays and Tuesdays starting at 5:15 p.m. (PDT). The stable area opened April 2 and training began on April 5. 

Grants Pass Downs' first Quarter Horse stakes, the 350-yard, $15,000 Mail Tribune Handicap, will be run May 17. The track will also play host to three Bank of America Racing Challenge regional stakes. 

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