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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).

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.

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.

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.

Trainer Faulkner Notches Win No. 1,000

Trainer Rodney Faulkner hit the 1,000 career-win milestone Sept. 9 when Fire Chief won the second race at Thistledown.

Staking Claims - Midwest Thoroughbreds

Midwest Thoroughbreds took Churchill Downs' top owner title.

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Ohio-Bred Catlaunch Joins Millionaire Ranks

Two-time Ohio Horse of the Year Catlaunch joined the millionaire ranks on July 16 when he led wire to wire in the $50,000 George Lewis Memorial at Thistledown.

Ohio Racing Needs 'Drastic Changes'

Two consultants will soon issue a report recommending ways for Ohio to improve live racing apart from the anticipated revenue from video lottery terminals.

Gaming Deal Offers VLTs to Ohio Racetracks

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.

OH Casinos Move Forward; Racetrack VLTs Next?

Ohio 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.

Caleb's Posse Wins Ohio Derby

Caleb's Posse rebounded from a poor effort in the Arkansas Derby (gr. I) last out to win the $100,000 Ohio Derby (gr. III) June 4 at Thistledown.

THS: Aristides Stakes 2011

Jason, Tom and Les of TwinSpires.com handicap the Aristides Stakes at Churchill Downs and the Ohio Derby at Thistledown.

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Ohio Derby Field Taking Shape

The field for the $100,000 Ohio Derby (gr. III) June 4 at Thistledown is beginning to sort itself out. The 1 1/16-mile test for 3-year-olds is Ohio's richest race and the state's only graded stakes

Thistledown Meet Quick out of the Gate

Ohio's Thistledown racetrack posted a 44% jump in on-track handle, from about $83,000 to $120,000, on its April 23 opening day card when compared to last year's opener.

Thistledown Announces Post Time Changes

Thistledown announced that it has moved its post time to 2:30 p.m. EDT for the three Saturdays that comprise the Triple Crown -- May 7, May 21, and June 11.

River Downs, Horsemen Agree on 93 Racing Days

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.

Cleveland Gold Cup Renamed in Stearns' Memory

Thistledown's Cleveland Gold Cup has been renamed to honor the memory of the late Ohio veterinarian Daniel C. Stearns III, who served Ohio racing throughout his long career.

Ohio Derby Heads Thistledown Schedule

The 77th running of the $100,000 Ohio Derby (gr. III) at Thistledown returns to its traditional June scheduling this year.

Veteran Steward Allen Fairbanks Dies

Longtime racing official Allen Fairbanks died Jan. 17 in Florida after a long illness.

OH Tracks Have Dates But No Horsemen's Deal

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.

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.

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.

Harrah's Completes Purchase of Thistledown

Harrah's Entertainment said July 28 it has completed its purchase of Thistledown near Cleveland, Ohio, from MI Developments.

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.

Panel OKs Sale of Beulah Park, Thistledown

The Buckeye State welcomed two new racetrack operators June 23 as the Ohio State Racing Commission approved the sale of both Beulah Park and Thistledown, which are to be purchased by casino companies.

Harrah's New Owner of Thistledown in Ohio

Harrah's Entertainment has ended up with Thistledown after all, but at a greatly reduced price.

Report: Thistledown in Ohio on Auction Block

MI Developments intends to offer Thistledown, the Ohio racetrack near Cleveland, for sale during a May 25 auction in New York.

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.

Van Berg to Race at Thistledown

Van Berg, the trainer of 1988 horse of the year Alysheba and the second winningest trainer in history, will train for owner Steve Belford.

Ohio Derby Has Firm Spot on 2010 Calendar

The Ohio Derby, with a smaller purse and lower grade, will be run July 31, Thistledown officials said.

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 VLT Supporters Fight Against Casino Vote

Pro-racetrack gaming forces in Ohio have taken a strong stand in opposition to a November referendum on full casino gambling in the state's four largest cities.

OH Governor Shelves Racetrack VLT Plan

Democratic Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland Sept. 30 put his plan for racetrack video lottery terminals on hold indefinitely in light of a recent state Supreme Court ruling and a need to balance the state budget.

Better Late Than Never for Ohio Derby

The Ohio Derby (gr. II), returned to the Thistledown stakes schedule only six weeks ago upon order of the Ohio State Racing Commission, has drawn a field of 13, including the winner of a $1-million race in his previous start.

Ohio Derby Gets Decent Number of Nominees

Thirty-two nominations are pretty good for a race that, up until six weeks ago, wasn't even on the schedule. Thistledown officials Sept. 23 said that's the number of nominees for the grade II Ohio Derby Oct. 3. The purse is $150,000, down from $300,000 last year.

OH Eyes 'Next Steps' After VLT Court Ruling

Democratic Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland indicated Sept. 21 his administration is preparing to take the "next steps" in the wake of an Ohio Supreme Court ruling that says a statewide referendum is required before the state implements racetrack video lottery terminals.

Magna Sells Two Tracks and Makes a Third Deal

A Delaware bankruptcy judge approved the sale of Magna Entertainment Corp.-owned Thistledown in Ohio to Harrah's Entertainment for $89.5 million and Remington Park in Oklahoma City for $80.25 million to a Chickasaw Nation subsidiary. An agreement also has been reached to sell Lone Star Park for $27 million.

MEC Racetrack Sales Moving Along Slowly

The Chickasaw Nation appears well on its way to purchasing Remington Park in Oklahoma from Magna Entertainment Corp., but the fate of other MEC racetrack holdings is fuzzy at best.

Auction of Santa Anita, Lone Star Withdrawn

An auction scheduled Sept. 8 on properties owned by bankrupt Magna Entertainment Corp. will not go forward after the company withdrew Santa Anita Park, Lone Star Park, and other assets from the bidding in court documents filed in U.S. bankruptcy court.

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.

Bennett Scores 3,000th Training Victory

Gerald Bennett, who 33 years ago won with the first horse he ever saddled at old Greenwood Race Track in Toronto, registered the 3,000th victory of his career Aug. 28 when Shegoestoeleven won in a photo finish in the eighth race at Presque Isle Downs.

King of the Roxy Wins First Start at 'Home'

Team Valor Stables' Ohio-bred King of the Roxy, voted Ohio Horse of the Year in 2007, made his first start in his home state a winning one Aug. 28 when he captured the $50,000 Honey Jay Stakes at Thistledown.

Racing Commission: Cut Dates, Run Ohio Derby

The Ohio State Racing Commission Aug. 20 brought the grade II Ohio Derby back to the schedule this year by ordering a reduction of five live racing days at Thistledown, traditional host for the only graded stakes in the Buckeye State.

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.

MEC Parent Asks to Sell Remington for $80M

MI Developments, parent company of Magna Entertainment Corp., said Aug. 12 debtors filed a motion seeking court approval to sell MEC-owned Remington Park Racing & Casino in Oklahoma to a third party for $80.25 million pending "higher and better offers."

Sale Purchase Like a Bull Takes Long Way Home

James Day knows a good racehorse when he breeds and sells one. He also knows a claiming-box bargain when he sees it -- especially one as unexpected as the 5-year-old gelding that presented itself at Thistledown Aug. 7.

Thistledown Cancels Last Four Races

A late afternoon rainstorm knocked out the power at Thistledown, forcing the North Randall track to cancel its final four live races as well as full-card simulcasting wagering on other North American tracks.

Thistledown Cancels Last Four Races

A late afternoon rainstorm knocked out the power at Thistledown, forcing the North Randall track to cancel its final four live races as well as full-card simulcasting wagering on other North American tracks.

Thistledown Steward Clark Dead at 78

Veteran racing official Robert "Bob" Clark, a steward at Thistledown since 2006, died early Aug. 7 at the Cleveland VA Medical Center. Clark had been operated on in late July for neck injuries and was reportedly on the road to recovery.