River Downs in Ohio Opens 79th Season of Racing

River Downs embarks on its 79th season of racing April 9 with numerous on-track promotions and a the redesignation of its top stakes as a grade III event.

River Downs, located near Cincinnati adjacent to the Ohio River, will race through Labor Day, Sept. 6. The feature race on closing day is the $200,000 Miller Genuine Draft Cradle Stakes, which has regained its grade III status for 2004.

The Cradle, at 1 1/16 miles, generally is the first major two-turn test for 2-year-olds on the national schedule.

River Downs will race April 9-10, April 16-18, and begin its six-day-a-week schedule April 23. Racing is scheduled for every afternoon but Wednesday.

The $100,000 Pepsi Bassinet Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at six furlongs is scheduled for Sept. 4. It will be featured in the National Thoroughbred Racing
Association's "Super Saturday" series on ESPN2.