The town of Anthony in Harper County, Kansas had its own racecourse which first opened its gates in 1904 and over the period it was operational it offered thoroughbred racing, quarter horse races and had a greyhound track on the inside of the racecourse. Racing was held annually on two weekends, offering a mixed programme with something to suit all tastes. In the early days there was no Tote, although it was known that illegal side wagers were taken, but the pari-mutual arrived in 1992 after the State of Kansas relaxed its gambling laws. Profits from the Tote were used to support racing, not only at Anthony Downs, but also at Eureka Downs and Rooks County racetracks. The picture below shows the state of the course and grandstand in 1910, some 6 years after it opened.
Support for the Horse Racing Benefit Fund reduced in 2008 and 2009 after the closure of Wichita Greyhound track and The Woodlands racetrack, and consequently Anthony Downs gradually became starved of funding. The track closed its doors for the final time in 2012.
The site on which the former racecourse stood is now a housing development.
