BloodHorse.com | Horse Racing News

Racing Official Michael G. Mackey Dies

Mackey began his racing career at entry-level positions and climbed the management ladder to become Thistledown general manager in 1976 at 36.

VLT Revenue at Ohio Track Exceeds Estimates

The only racetrack gaming facility in Ohio generated $11 million in revenue in its first month of operation, the Ohio Lottery Commission reported.

PNGI Applies for VLTs, OH Track Relocations

Penn National Gaming Inc. on June 30 filed requests for video lottery terminals and to relocate its two Ohio racetracks.

Policy Group Appeals Latest Ohio VLT Ruling

The Ohio Roundtable has appealed a Common Pleas Court ruling that said it didn't have legal standing to sue the state and others over the 2011 law that legalized racetrack video lottery terminals.

Thistledown to Install VLTs; Move Possible

The owner of Thistledown near Cleveland said June 6 it has a memorandum of understanding with the State of Ohio to install video lottery terminals at the racetrack, but also reserves the right to move the operation.

Veteran Ohio Trainer Irish Owens Dies

Veteran trainer Martin D. "Irish" Owens died May 22 in Cleveland at 90.

Racing Language Protected in OH Gaming Bill

Language pertaining to the horse racing industry remained intact May 24 when the Ohio House of Representatives and Senate passed a casino cleanup bill that was sent to Republican Gov. John Kasich for his signature.

VLT Casino to Open Despite Legal Challenge

It appears Scioto Downs, a harness track in Columbus, will be the first racetrack in Ohio to open its video lottery terminal casino.

Zanjero Sires First Winner

Zanjero, a two-time grade II winner, sired his first winner when his son Zambito scored May 18 at Mountaineer Casino Racetrack & Resort in his initial start.

Ohio Bill Sets VLT Purse Share at 9% Minimum

Casino cleanup legislation passed by the Ohio Senate May 10 has some new horse racing-related language, including a section that ensures the industry will get no less than 9% of gross revenue from racetrack VLTs.

PNGI: Status Quo on Ohio Tracks for Now

Penn National Gaming Inc., which owns two racetracks in Ohio, said it will run full live racing schedules at both tracks for the rest of this year and possibly next year depending on resolution of a legal challenge.

Pinnacle to Buy Majority Share in Retama Park

Casino operator Pinnacle Entertainment said April 26 one of its subsidiaries has an agreement to purchase a 75.5% interest in Retama Park, which is located near San Antonio, Texas.

PNGI Has Another Strong Earnings Quarter

Penn National Gaming Inc. reported net income of $78.6 million for the first quarter of 2012, up 52% from $51.5 million for the first three months of 2011.

After the Thrill Is Gone - By Evan Hammonds

The bread-and-butter meets in Kentucky are teetering on the brink

read blog

Oral Arguments Heard in Ohio VLT Lawsuit

The Ohio Roundtable contended in oral arguments April 3 that a 2011 law passed by the Ohio General Assembly allowing the state Lottery Commission to install video lottery terminals at racetracks is unconstitutional.

Ohio Track in Joint Venture With Hard Rock

A Cleveland, Ohio-area racetrack has partnered with a casino company to develop a gaming facility with video lottery terminals and related entertainment offerings.

Close Up Relocated to Ohio

Close Up, sire of millionaire Joey P., has been relocated to Raimonde Farm, in Wooster, Ohio. The 16-year-old son of Capote is standing as the property of a syndicate for a $1,500 fee in 2012.

PNGI Has Deal to Relocate Two Ohio Racetracks

Penn National Gaming Inc. said March 16 it has reached an agreement with Republican Ohio Gov. John Kasich to relocate two racetracks in the state to capitalize on video lottery terminals in new markets.

Revenue Up But Net Loss for MTR Gaming Group

MTR Gaming Group reported solid growth in net revenue for the fourth quarter of 2011 but a net loss for the quarter and the year.

Arguments in Ohio VLT Lawsuit Postponed

Oral arguments in a lawsuit challenging video lottery terminals at Ohio racetracks have been postponed, officials said.

OH Horsemen Fight Breeding Fund Money Grab

Ohio horsemen are lobbying the state Senate to alter language in House-passed legislation that would shift pari-mutuel revenue for breeding funds to municipalities that host racetracks.

Optimism and Wariness as Mountaineer Reopens

Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort will begin its 10-month meet March 2 with some upgrades and increased promotion, but officials also are keeping an eye on neighboring states as they expand gambling opportunities.

Judge Lets Parties Intervene in Ohio VLT Case

A judge issued an order Feb. 24 allowing several gambling interests to intervene in a lawsuit filed by the Ohio Roundtable challenging a law allowing Ohio racetracks to install video lottery terminals.

Groups Ask to Intervene in Ohio VLT Lawsuit

Representatives of several Ohio gambling operations testified Feb. 21 in Franklin County Common Pleas Court seeking permission to intervene in a lawsuit brought by the Ohio Roundtable.

Parties Will Intervene in Ohio VLT Lawsuit

Oral arguments on a lawsuit filed to stop the installation of video lottery terminals at Ohio racetracks has been postponed to give interested parties a chance to intervene.

Ohio Derby Heads Thistledown Stakes Schedule

All 17 of the stakes presented by Thistledown last year will return for the 2012 meet including Ohio's only graded stakes, the Ohio Derby (gr. III).

Beulah Park Will Likely Move to Youngstown

Penn National Gaming Inc. now plans to request to move Beulah Park near Columbus, Ohio, to a site near Youngstown rather than Dayton, according to its latest financial report.

Central Ohio Track First to Get VLT License

A central Ohio racetrack is the first of seven tracks in the state to receive a license to install and operate video lottery terminals.

Horsemen's Simulcast Rights Upheld in OH Case

The United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit issued an opinion Jan. 24 that states the federal Interstate Horseracing Act trumps Ohio statute in regard to horsemen having a say in where races are transmitted.

OH Policy Group Continues VLT Challenge

The Ohio Roundtable Jan. 23 asked a Franklin County Common Pleas Court judge to reject motions filed by the state to dismiss a lawsuit challenging legislative approval of a 2011 bill to authorize VLTs at racetracks.

Ohio Anti-VLT Group Given Deadline for Suit

Efforts to facilitate installation of video lottery terminals at Ohio racetracks continued to quicken Dec. 22 when a public policy group that filed suit over VLTs was given a deadline to respond to motions to dismiss.

MTR Gaming Applies for Ohio VLT License

The parent company of Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort in West Virginia and Presque Isle Downs & Casino in Pennsylvania is the first to apply for a video lottery terminal license in Ohio.

State Wants Ohio VLT Lawsuit Dismissed

The office of Ohio Attorney General Michael DeWine filed papers in Franklin County Common Pleas Court Dec. 9 to dismiss a lawsuit filed by the Ohio Roundtable, a group that opposes racetrack VLTs.

Deadline Set for Ohio VLT Court Challenge

Columbus, Ohio Common Pleas Court judge Timothy Horton set Sept. 9, 2012, as the deadline for the state to file and answer a suit filed by the Ohio Roundtable over racetrack video lottery terminals.

Thistledown Posts 10% Gains for 2011

Despite offering two fewer days of live racing, Thistledown finished its 2011 racing year with a 10% gain in all-sources wagering on its live product compared to 2010.

Thistledown Cancels Program for Oct. 27

A smaller horse population as its 2011 meet nears an end was cited for cancellation of live racing Oct. 27 at Thistledown.

OH Group Files Lawsuit Over VLT Law

The Ohio Roundtable, which opposes the expansion of gambling, said Oct. 21 is has filed a lawsuit challenging racetrack VLTs in the state.

Ohio Racetrack Relocation Rules Expedited

Gov. John Kasich signed another executive order Oct. 20 that allows the Ohio State Racing Commission to adopt regulations governing eligibility for racetracks to install video lottery terminals and to request relocation.

Ohio Governor Fast-Tracks VLT Regulations

Republican Gov. John Kasich, citing an "emergency" in Ohio, issued an executive order Oct. 14 allowing the Ohio Lottery Commission to adopt regulations governing racetrack video lottery terminals.

Wait-and-See for Ohio Racetrack Relocations

If the Ohio Supreme Court were to rule that video lottery terminals can't be installed at racetracks in the state, attempts to move tracks to new locations would be dropped.

Eagle Time Closes Career With Thistledown Win

Eagle Time, a 14-year-old horse owned and trained by Rick Jordan, has alternated between the racetrack and the breeding shed since 2009.

Beulah Alters Surface, Lowers 'Pick' Takeout

Beulah Park will begin its 2011-12 racing season Oct. 10 with a renovated racing surface and "pick" wagers with a reduced pari-mutuel takeout of 15%.

OH Lottery Preparing for Racetrack VLTs

The Ohio Lottery Commission said Sept. 26 it plans to have video lottery terminals installed at some of the state's racetracks perhaps by January 2012.

Keeneland Yearling Sale Surpasses 2010 Total

Any questions about whether the Keeneland September yearling sale would have staying power beyond the first week were answered Sept. 19 when the auction's receipts went beyond the entire 2010 sale gross.

Ohio 2012 Dates Reflect Some Stability

After years of steady reductions, Ohio's seven racetracks have applied for 694 dates in 2012, only seven fewer than were applied for this year.

VLT Revenue Splits Remain Issue in Ohio

Racetracks and horsemen's groups in Ohio continue to wrestle over how much purses and breed development programs will receive from track-based video lottery terminals, which were legalized earlier this year.

River Downs Reports Gains in Ontrack Handle

River Downs, where the start of the 2011 race meet was delayed because of Ohio River flooding, reported gains in live handle and daily average purses.

Franchise Player Sires Initial Winner

Stakes-placed Franchise Player came through with his first winner when his son Mr Sox won at Thistledown Sept. 2 for Thomas L. Thornton.

River Downs to Host Old Friends Benefit Day

River Downs will host an "Old Friends Day" at the Cincinnati, Ohio track Sept. 5 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

OH Track Relocations Must Wait Until October

A racing regulator in Ohio said Aug. 21 it will be the middle of October for a decision is made on allowing Penn National Gaming Inc. to transfer the racing licenses of its two tracks to other locations.