The photograph to the right shows three interested spectators at a recent workout at the Harerasin Farm near Chillicothe.
The remnants of the Adena Tribe, near Chillicothe, have applied for a license with the Ohio State Gaming Commission, to build and operate a rabbit racing track on Carlisle Hill in Chillicothe, Ohio.
A representative of the Harerasin Farm, indicated that they had been raising and training racing rabbits for a number of years, and felt that as the sport increased in popularity a number of other breeders would start breeding, raising and training the purebred racing rabbits.
The quarter mile lighted track would have a seating capacity of 75,000. A spokesman for the Adena Tribe, Chief Optimisen stated, "We getum the idea from the movie 'Field of Dreams,' we think if we build it, they will come."
In rabbit racing, a fake greyhound dog moves quickly around the oval track, and as the rabbits are let out, they chase the fake stuffed dog. At this point in time, some of the rabbits are still frightened by the fake dog, and run in the opposite direction. Training is still underway. A finish line is built at both ends of the track to enable race enthusiasts to not only bet on the rabbit to win, place, or show, but in what direction it will run. This is just another added dimension to Rabbit Racing.
Chief Optimisen was also quoted as saying, "We hope to eventually open a casino on the infield, and include open air seating on the roof to enjoy the rabbit races.
The opening of the track has been enthusiastically endorsed by a number of state associations who expect to be rewarded with their share of the tax revenue collected from the casino as well as the parimutuel betting.
