A recent FBI and ICE raid on a horse track in Wilder has cast uncertainty over what participants describe as family-friendly racing events that bring Hispanic communities together.
The raid, which resulted in five arrests and over 100 people being detained for immigration offenses, has left many in Idaho’s horse racing community questioning why law enforcement targeted what they characterize as traditional cultural gatherings centered around quarter horse racing.
See what a leading horse breeder says about unsanctioned horse racing events
Having been involved in the horse racing business for nearly 60 years, Edward McNelis has attended several non-sanctioned match race events throughout his career, and he disputes any characterization of these events as dangerous or criminal activities.
“There’s a lot of mariachi music, a lot of family, and the kids are there with them, it doesn’t matter the size— It’s just a giant picnic,” McNelis explained of the typical atmosphere…