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.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
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.
Friday, September 16, 2011
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.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
River Downs will host an "Old Friends Day" at the Cincinnati, Ohio track Sept. 5 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Two consultants will soon issue a report recommending ways for Ohio to improve live racing apart from the anticipated revenue from video lottery terminals.
Thursday, July 07, 2011
River Downs near Cincinnati, Ohio has canceled live racing for Wednesday, June 22, due to the rain-soaked track conditions as a result of recent thunderstorms in the area.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Officials at River Downs have announced the track will change its wagering format to offer 50- cent minimum trifectas and Pick 3s as part of their daily wagering schedule.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Ohio Gov. John Kasich's "comprehensive gaming review agreement" includes provisions for the Ohio Lottery Commission to award racetracks licenses to operate video lottery terminals.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011Ohio Gov. John Kasich has reached an agreement that will resume construction on casinos in Cincinnati and Cleveland -- and according to published reports permit video lottery terminals at the state's seven racetracks.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Apprentice jockey Arturo Perez was taken to the University of Cincinnati trauma center for observation after falling from his horse in the first race at River Downs June 12.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Catlaunch, a 10-year-old gelding bred and owned by Ron Fields, continued to defy his age with a victory in the $50,000 Sydney Gendelman Memorial Handicap at River Downs June 11.
Sunday, June 12, 2011Amanda Tamburello, a 33-year-old apprentice rider, rode three winners on River Downs' nine-race opening day card.
Friday, May 13, 2011
River Downs near Cincinnati plans to open for live racing May 13, two weeks later than scheduled because of severe Ohio River flooding.
Thursday, May 05, 2011The Ohio Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association has reached an agreement with a Cleveland-area harness track that will avoid a potential blackout of Triple Crown simulcasts in the state.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
The record-setting rains of April in the Cincinnati, Ohio area have forced officials at River Downs to push back their expected live racing opening of Friday, April 29, to a date yet to be determined.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Predictions the Ohio River near Cincinnati, Ohio, will rise above flood stage the weekend of April 23-24 has forced the evacuation of about 400 horses from the barn area at River Downs.
Thursday, April 21, 2011The Ohio Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association is in negotiations with a Cleveland-area harness track to avoid a situation that could lead to a statewide simulcast blackout of the May 7 Kentucky Derby.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Having compromised on the number of racing dates, Pinnacle Entertainment and the Ohio Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association have agreed on a contract for the 2011 meet at River Downs.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Pinnacle Entertainment, a Las Vegas-based casino company, said Jan. 28 it has closed on the purchase of River Downs in Ohio for $45 million in cash.
Wednesday, February 02, 2011
Pinnacle Entertainment has named Kevin Kaufman, general manager of its Belterra Casino in Indiana, as general manager of River Downs in Ohio.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Ohio's three Thoroughbred racetracks have mapped out their live racing schedules for 2011, but two of them still have no agreement with horsemen on racing dates.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Las Vegas-based Pinnacle Entertainment confirmed Nov. 26 it has a deal to purchase River Downs near Cincinnati, Ohio, for $45 million.
Saturday, November 27, 2010Pinnacle Entertainment Inc. reported a reduced net income loss for the third quarter and said it's looking to expand into new markets while adhering to "disciplined capital-spend and return metrics."
Thursday, October 28, 2010
River Downs near Cincinnati, Ohio, has been sold to Pinnacle Entertainment, a gaming company that operates a casino in neighboring Indiana, according to sources close to the matter.
Thursday, October 21, 2010The Ohio State Racing Commission has approved 325 live Thoroughbred racing dates -- 33 fewer than this year -- for 2011.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Things aren't perfect, but often times they're nowhere near as bad as people want you to believe.
Jockey Perry Ouzts, who has ridden at River Downs in Cincinnati, Ohio for 37 seasons, has set the record for wins during the Jockey Club Meet.
Thursday, September 02, 2010Total racing dates would continue to drop under 2011 requests submitted by Ohio's seven racetracks Aug. 19.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Richard Rettele, a 70-year-old who trains Thoroughbreds and rides Quarter Horses, just keeps on going -- he won a $15,000 stakes aboard Fearles Fred in the $15,000 Queen City Dash at River Downs in Ohio Aug. 10.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
It may take some time, but at some point the industry will get it right.
Continued declines in handle and the lowest purse structure in decades have led River Downs to cut the purses of its two premier stakes for 2-year-olds by 50%.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010The Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund will benefit from an annual donation tied to the Norm Barron Queen City Oaks, an Ohio-bred stakes to be run at River Downs July 17.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
LetOhioVote.org said June 28 it has asked the state to remove its referendum on racetrack video lottery terminals from the November ballot, possibly clearing the way for gaming at Ohio's seven racetracks.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Beyond the Blinkers looks at the story of Stormy, a retired Thoroughbred racing homeful-turned hunter/jumper, who was given to an injured young girl when she needed him the most.
Richard "Dickie Burge, a racetracker for 60 years, died May 23 at Anderson Mercy Hospital, not far from River Downs, where he held various positions.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
River Downs, situated on the banks of the Ohio River near Cincinnati, opens April 16 for its 86th season.
The Ohio State Racing Commission is filing an appeal in a case in which it was left holding the bag for legal fees that now total more than $200,000.
Tuesday, April 06, 2010
River Downs, which is hoping to trim racing dates to maintain purses at 2009 levels, released its first condition book March 29 and avoided being fined by the Ohio State Racing Commission.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Absent an agreement with horsemen, River Downs will begin its live meet April 16 with a minimum purse of $3,200, the lowest in almost two decades, in yet another sign of a struggling Ohio horse racing industry.
Friday, March 26, 2010
River Downs, which anticipates further erosion of pari-mutuel revenue this year, has asked the Ohio Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association to consider a reduction in 2010 racing dates.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010The Ohio State Racing Commission has approved 2010 racing dates for two Thoroughbred tracks, but the facilities still have no agreement with horsemen on the schedules.
Friday, September 04, 2009Jockeys throughout the United States and Canada will exhibit their unified show of support Sept. 5 for apprentice jockey Michael Straight, who was injured in a racing accident Aug. 26 at Arlington Park. On Sept. 6, River Downs in Ohio will raise money for disabled jockey Gary Birzer and jockey Justin Vitek, who continues to battle leukemia.
Thursday, September 03, 2009Five of seven Ohio racetracks failed to have their 2010 applications for dates approved because they don't have an agreement with horsemen or have other conflicts; several requested fewer racing dates than were scheduled for this year; and one facility indicated it wouldn't mind closing its barn area.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
For most women with six children and six grandchildren, the next step in their life includes things like retirement and relaxation. But for Sherry Kirk, there will be no baking cakes, sewing, or taking strolls on the beach. Those things can wait another 20 years. For now, she is just getting started on the second half of her riding career.
Tuesday, August 04, 2009It appears Ohio racetracks and horsemen's groups will have to negotiate the percentage of revenue that will go toward purses and breed development from video lottery terminals.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009As Ohio racetracks are busy working on a plan for racetrack gaming, horsemen's groups are lobbying the state legislature to get behind Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland's proposal for video lottery terminals at tracks.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Ohio racing still has its supporters, who are finding ways to capitalize on declining purses and a shrinking foal crop in the face of competition from racetracks with gaming in neighboring states.
Tuesday, June 02, 2009
Trainer Wesley Ward, who plans a venture to the Royal Ascot meet in England this year, came away from River Downs very pleased with the performances of members of his stable that prepped in front of the public at the Ohio track May 24.
Monday, May 25, 2009Veteran jockey Vernon Bush, who learned the art of race riding watching his father, Vernon Sr., who was one of New England's top riders in the 1940s and 1950s, won the 3,000th race of his career when he guided Loadthewagon to a front-running win in the eighth race at River Downs May 9.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Thistledown, at the suggestion of the Ohio Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, has suspended the $300,000 Ohio Derby (gr. II) for 3-year-olds. The race was to have its 75th running in 2009.
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
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