Acting Michigan Racing Commissioner Christine C. White awarded the one available racetrack license in the Detroit Metropolitan area to Michigan Racing Inc., a fully owned subsidiary of Magna Entertainment Corporation (MEC).
"After careful and objective review of the applications, I have reached the conclusion that Michigan Racing Inc. possesses the most comprehensive plan to bring Thoroughbred racing back to the Detroit area," said White.
Michigan Downs is slated to begin live Thoroughbred racing as early as 2009. The 212-acre site for the project is on the northeast corner of Vining and Wick Roads near Romulus, Mich., and about two miles from Metro Airport.
Magna Entertainment currently operates 14 tracks including Santa Anita Park, Gulfstream Park, and Pimlico Race Course.
