The Wheatland Country Store was the site of the 2021 Bunny Belmont rabbit race that this year had eight thoroughbreds running for the roses.
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WHEATLAND – The Wheatland Country Store was the site of the 2021 Bunny Belmont rabbit race that this year had eight thoroughbreds running for the roses.
Gunther, Joey, Janice, Ross, Phoebe, Monica, Chandler and Rachel were the bunnies this year and their names followed the popular but now defunct television sitcom, “Friends.”
The Race was set up in the parking lot of the Wheatland County Store at the “Central Perk” bunny drag strip.
The bunnies were split into two heats where the top two competitors from each heat would compete for the coveted Belmont Bunny trophy that was awarded by Wheatland Store General Manager Mandy McIntosh.
Prior to the race was the FFA Calcutta orchestrated by Wheatland FFA adviser Brice McIntosh who auctioned off spots where the top money moguls could own a rabbit for the race. $400 came in from the Calcutta and first prize was awarded $260 of that purse, second prize was awarded $100 and third prize was awarded $40.
“About five years ago I had this idea to race these rabbits,” Mandy McIntosh said. “I was trying to bring customers into the store and race the rabbits at the end of the month with random bunny names at all the bottoms of the receipts. If that bunny wins, you can bring that receipt back in to get back half of your purchase price that you paid.”
This was the fifth annual Belmont and although COVID shut it down in 2020, the customers were back in droves for the event and there was standing room only trackside. Although the rabbits were a little chilly and didn’t want to race, a well-timed whisk was used to help the rabbits along and eventually the races were run and after the dust cleared, Gunther stood alone as the 2021 champion.
Kaidyn Kasun who owned Gunther for the race was the big money winner and also was awarded the coveted Belmont Bunny. Although it wasn’t a photo finish, Gunther won by a whisker. Although the crowd was stunned as the favorite, Chandler pulled up lame in the first heat, it left the door open for Phoebe to make a run for the roses.
“It’s a lot of fun,” McIntosh said. “We theme it every year and the kids really like to come watch it. The FFA kids come to help us with the Calcutta. It’s fun and it’s just by chance that one of them hops across the finish line first.”
There has been no word yet as to the rumors that Gunther is about to sign a large lucrative commercial contract with Purina rabbit chow. Details are pending.
