BISMARCK, ND—FEBRUARY 24, 2017—The North Dakota Racing Commission granted the North Dakota Horse Park in Fargo additional funds at its meeting in Bismark on Thursday.

The Racing Commission approved giving the Fargo track $125,000 in purse funds and $225,000 for promotional funds, which is about $30,000 more than Horse Park General Manager Mike Schmitz initially requested for six days of racing.

Commission members also approved an additional two days of racing in Fargo, equaling the number of race days that will be held at Chippewa Downs in Belcourt. It had already granted the Horse Park six days of horse racing for 2017.

"It's a sign of the health of the racing industry in our state," Schmitz said. "We have more funds because the business of horse racing in North Dakota is a lot better than it's been in years. That's the real exciting part. It will help us, the fans and, of course, the horsemen."

The Racing Commission sets race dates, purses and promotion for the North Dakota Horse Park and Chippewa Downs. Funding comes from online betting companies that pay taxes to be licensed in the state.

The Fargo track will kick off its 2017 meet on Saturday, July 15.

Chippewa Downs received an equal amount of funding for its eight-day race meet that will starts June 5th.