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Pinnacle to Grow, But No River Sale Comment

Pinnacle 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."

Sources: River Downs Sold to Casino Company

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.

Ohio Regulators OK Reduction in Racing Dates

The Ohio State Racing Commission has approved 325 live Thoroughbred racing dates -- 33 fewer than this year -- for 2011.

Things That Make You Go Hmmmm (5)

Things aren't perfect, but often times they're nowhere near as bad as people want you to believe.

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Jockey Ouzts Sets Record at River Downs

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.

Trend of Fewer Racing Dates Continues in Ohio

Total racing dates would continue to drop under 2011 requests submitted by Ohio's seven racetracks Aug. 19.

Jockey Rettele, 70, Wins River Downs Stakes

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.

Things That Make You Go Hmmmm (4)

It may take some time, but at some point the industry will get it right.

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River Slashes Purses for Cradle, Bassinet

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%.

Barron Family Starts Donation to PDJF

The 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.

Ohio Tracks in Line for Gaming Machines?

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.

The Best Gift a Girl Could Ask For

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.

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Veteran River Downs Employee Burge Dies

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.

Midwest: Running At the River

River Downs, situated on the banks of the Ohio River near Cincinnati, opens April 16 for its 86th season.

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OSRC Appeals Over Payment of Legal Fees

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.

River Releases Condition Book, Avoids Fine

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.

River Downs Situation Described as 'Horrible'

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.

River Downs Seeking Shorter Racing Week

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.

Ohio Dates Approved, But No Horsemen's Deal

The 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.

Fundraisers for Jockeys Set for Weekend

Jockeys 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.

Despite VLT Order, Turmoil Continues in Ohio

Five 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.

Inside Track: Galloping Grandmother

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.

Ohio Tracks, Horsemen Must Negotiate VLT Deal

It 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.

Tracks Helping to Craft Ohio VLT Proposal

As 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.

Racing for Love, and in Spite of Woes, in OH

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.

River Turf a Springboard for Royal Ascot?

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.

Jockey Vernon Bush Registers 3,000th Win

Veteran 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.

Thistledown Suspends Ohio Derby in 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.

MEC Bankruptcy Fallout Hits Ohio Track

The Ohio State Racing Commission ruled March 19 that Thistledown's racing permit will be suspended as of March 28 if parent company Magna Entertainment Corp., which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection March 5, fails to renew a $1-million bond.

Cradle Stakes Gets New Sponsor for 2009

The marquee race at River Downs in Ohio will now be titled the $200,000 Budweiser Select Cradle Stakes. Since 1977, the Miller Brewing Co. had sponsored Ohio's richest race for 2-year-olds.

Thoroughbred Dates Restored in Ohio

Requests by Beulah Park and River Downs to schedule their customary Thoroughbred meets for 2009 were officially granted Dec. 19 by the Ohio State Racing Commission.

Deal Averts 'Immediate Disaster' in Ohio

Racetrack management and horsemen in Ohio struck an agreement Dec. 16 that will reinstate more than 160 Thoroughbred racing dates at Beulah Park and River Downs in 2009, and save more than 1,000 horses at Beulah Park from being forced out of the track's stable area by Dec. 27.

Regulators Probe Beulah Horse Mix-Up

The Ohio Racing Commission has confirmed it is investigating a Nov. 19 incident at Beulah Park in which the track identifier failed to discover before the fourth race a different horse than was entered by trainer owner/trainer Enzo Canelo ran and crossed the wire first.

Ohio Lawmaker Plans Gaming Legislation

An Ohio lawmaker whose district includes River Downs said Nov. 26 he plans to introduce legislation in 2009 for casino-style gaming that would support the horse racing and breeding in the state.

160-Plus Race Dates Lost in Ohio Carnage

Winter racing at Beulah Park was plowed under and the spring/summer meet at River Downs went up in flames Nov. 21 when the Ohio State Racing Commission awarded 2009 dates that represent a loss of more than 160 days of Thoroughbred racing at the two tracks.

Ellis Park, Others Squeezed by Indiana

Hoosier Park Racing & Casino and Indiana Downs have submitted requests for 2009 schedules that could significantly impact surrounding states.

Beulah Park Slashes Purses Amid Dispute

Beulah Park, locked in a dispute that centers on revenue from advance deposit wagering, intends to resume live racing Oct. 22 but with greatly reduced purses and no export of its signal outside of Ohio.

No Deal Yet for Dates at Two Ohio Tracks

Barring fruitful negotiations -- and that scenario currently doesn't appear possible -- it could be months before decisions on Thoroughbred racing dates in Ohio are made.

Judge Rules for Ohio HBPA in Lawsuit

United States District Court Judge Michael Watson granted the Ohio Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association's motion for partial judgment on the pleadings in its lawsuit versus the Ohio State Racing Commission, Beulah Park, River Downs, Chester Downs, and others.

Deal Would Ensure OH Thoroughbred Dates

Officials with two Ohio racetracks indicated they hope to offer Thoroughbred meets in 2009 and could be close to a deal with local horsemen on revenue from advance deposit wagering.

Guild Official Barred From River Downs

A Jockeys' Guild official was verbally barred from River Downs after the Ohio State Racing Commission was notified of an incident in which the track's substitute ambulance caught fire on the racetrack and a pickup truck was used for emergency services for the final two races of a program.

Ohio Panel Frowns on Dates Request

The Ohio State Racing Commission indicated Aug. 21 it will have a difficult time approving requests by two racetracks that call for only four total days of Thoroughbred racing in 2009.

No Thoroughbred Dates at 2 Ohio Tracks?

Beulah Park and River Downs, two Ohio Thoroughbred tracks that race more than 200 dates combined, have requested only Quarter Horse dates for 2009, a track official said Aug. 18.

Racetracks Fire Back in ADW Conflict

At least two racetrack operators aren't pleased with recent developments concerning advance deposit wagering revenue, and one indicated closure of his track isn't out of the question should the conflict continue.

If Ellis Is Done, What About the Dates?

Ellis Park's owner said the western Kentucky racetrack won't hold its meet this summer, though horsemen want the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority to intervene. Could another track get the dates?

Two Horses Die in Freak Accident

Two horses that escaped from the backside of River Downs Racetrack were struck and killed by a truck in the early morning hours of June 26, according to John Englehardt, director of publicity at the Cincinnati, Ohio-area oval.

Academy Grad Fifth in Debut as Jockey

Jessica Oldham Stith, the first graduate of Chris McCarron's North American Racing Academy, failed to emulate her parents but got a lot of experience in her first ride as a jockey June 17 at River Downs in Ohio.

McCarron to 'Pony' as Rider Makes Debut

Chris McCarron will be on hand at River Downs in Ohio June 17 to "pony" a graduate of the North American Riding Academy in her debut as a professional jockey.

Wagering Mess Leads to River Purse Cut

Declines in on-track wagering, a dispute with the New York Racing Association over signal fees, and horsemen's refusal to allow six major advance deposit wagering outlets to take its signal has led River Downs to cut purses 15%-18% effective May 8.

TrackNet, THG Clarify 'Proposal' Stands

TrackNet Media Group said April 22 it doesn't like a proposal from horsemen that would allow advance deposit wagering companies the cards of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) and the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I), locking in place a stalemate over broader revenue sharing models.