WINNEMUCCA - Kentucky might have its Derby and California Los Alamedas, but Winnemucca has the Mule Races, and spectators not only are invited but encouraged to try their hand at making some money mule style this weekend.
This year, racing will take place on Saturday, June 2, and Sunday, June 3. Each day will see about a half dozen races; post time is 12:30 p.m.
For casual bettors, the mule races are a great way to spend a day in the company of good friends, a great sport and some cold beer. For more serious bettors, the potential for fast cash is definitely there.
The Winnemucca Mule Races have seen plenty of payouts in excess of $1,000 for a $2 bet. Two dollars is the minimum bet, but there is no maximum, leaving bettors with a lot of options.
For instance, bettors could purchase a "win ticket" - a bet that means they collect if their mule finishes first. A "place ticket" collects if the mule finishes first or second, and a "show ticket" will collect if the mule finishes first, second or third.
Then there are daily doubles where bettors can pick their favorite mules for two consecutive races. The quinella, exacta and trifecta tickets collect depending on which order mules finish. And just so you know, trifectas done right can produce a lot of cash quick.
The upshot is that betting is easy. Just take a look at the racing form, decide which mules you like and place your bets. And don't worry if you're not a betting professional. Everyone has a first time at the races. Plus, in Winnemucca, there are lots of folks who can explain the steps involved.
"Before you know it, you'll be having a great time picking your favorites and making a little money at the same time," said Winnemucca Events Complex Operations Supervisor Sheree Tibbals.
"We are planning another excellent weekend," said Kim Petersen, director of the Winnemucca Events Complex, of the 25th annual event. "We have enjoyed very steady success with our mule events for more than two decades, and each year we continue to take that success to a new level."
The weekend-long event also includes the Winnemucca Mule Show, sanctioned by the American Mule Association - a whopper of a competition that dishes up over 60 classes in three days. Show times are 1 p.m. today and 8 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.
The weekend will officially kick off this morning with the 14th annual 25-mile Endurance Race. Professional caliber animals take to the streets - literally - in this run from the Golconda summit to the Winnemucca Events Complex.
A Western Trade Show also will open to the public on Saturday and Sunday.
The entire weekend is meant to be competitive - "but fun has to part of our vocabulary too," said Tibbals. "We always make sure that regardless of what else happens, people go home from Winnemucca saying, 'I had a really fun time.' That is our end goal."
Cost for admission is $5 for adults; children 12 and under enter for free.
For more information on the 2012 Winnemucca Mule Show and Races, please visit www.muleshow.com or call (775) 623-2220 or (800) 962-2638.
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