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  Cowboy Capitol of the World!     

Bandera Downs Bandera Downs is located in Bandera, Texas the self proclaimed cowboy capitol of the world, I don't know any cowboy's so I'll take their word for it. Originally opened in 1965 as Lost Valley Downs, a non betting facility featuring quarter horse and thoroughbred racing, it became the second pari-mutual track in Texas.

Lost Valley, lasted only a few years and in 1984 was sold and renamed Bandera Downs. In July of 1990 it became the only pari-mutual track in Texas, after G. Rollie White went out of business. It's first year seemed to be a success, but that would be short lived.

Bandera Downs Under Texas law, Bandera Downs was granted a Class II license, which had nothing to do with the quality of racing, but with the maximum number of days the track could run, 44. Having a Class II license should not have been an issue, but it did open the door for a Class I track to be built in the general vicinity.

In 1995, Retama Park a brand new Class I track opened in Selma, a suburb of San Antonio, about forty miles from Bandera Downs. This was pretty much the last nail in the coffin of the track that had been declining in attendance and handle the past few years.

Bandera Downs, only lasted for five years as a pari-mutual racetrack, a short run indeed, but in 2014 it's still standing and better yet it's for sale, if your in the market for a used race track.