Hollywood Casino At Charles Town Races

Storm Damages Barns at Charles Town

• By Frank Angst
• July 6, 2017
• Thoroughbred Racing, Mid-Atlantic Region

High winds damaged three barns at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races the evening of July 5, but no horses or humans were injured and the track expects to not miss any race dates.

Imperative Repeats in Charles Town Classic

• By Claire Novak
• April 22, 2017
• Thoroughbred Racing, Southeast Region

Three runners entered the $1.25 million Charles Town Classic (G2) April 22 for Loooch Racing and Imaginary Stables, and one got by with a little help from his friends. 

Charles Town Concludes Successful Season

• By BloodHorse Staff
• December 31, 2016
• Thoroughbred Racing, Handicapping, Northeast Region, Mid-Atlantic Region

"To set another record for wagering volume per race in the face of some obstacles speaks volumes about the quality and dedication of our entire team here at Charles Town," said vice president of racing operations Erich Zimny.

Jockey Jose Montano Gets 1,000th Win

• By Erin Shea
• December 17, 2016
• Thoroughbred Racing, Mid-Atlantic Region

Jockey Jose Montano notched his 1,000th career victory Dec. 16 when he piloted Aritzia to victory in the eighth race at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races. 

Winter Weather Forces Track Cancellations

• By Frank Angst
• December 15, 2016
• Thoroughbred Racing

Aqueduct, Hawthorne, Charles Town, Turfway have canceled Dec. 15 cards.

Charles Town Sets Early 2017 Schedule

• By BloodHorse Staff
• November 18, 2016
• Thoroughbred Racing, Mid-Atlantic Region

The first five months of Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races calendar for 2017 have been set, with 76 days of live racing to be conducted from Jan. 11 through May 20 on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings.

Accreditation Gets Push in West Virginia

• By Tom LaMarra
• August 17, 2016
• Horse Health, Northeast Region, Mid-Atlantic Region

West Virginia Racing Commission staff will explore, among other things, whether capital improvement money racetracks get from a video lottery terminal fund can be used to pay for accreditation through the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance.

WVBC Program Awarded $1.17M for 2016 Purses

• By Tom LaMarra
• July 19, 2016
• Thoroughbred Racing, Northeast Region, Mid-Atlantic Region

The West Virginia Racing Commission July 19 signed off on $1,170,000 in funding for purses for the 30th edition of the West Virginia Breeders' Classics Oct. 8 at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races.

Out-of-Competition Testing Progresses in WV

• By Tom LaMarra
• July 19, 2016
• Horse Health, Northeast Region, Mid-Atlantic Region

Regulators and track executives in West Virginia hope to have about 50% of the starters in two upcoming graded stakes tested out of competition as part of a launch of the program in the state.

WV Moves Ahead With Out-of-Competition Tests

• By Tom LaMarra
• June 21, 2016
• Horse Health, Northeast Region, Mid-Atlantic Region

The West Virginia Racing Commission plans to launch its out-of-competition program in conjunction with the $750,000 West Virginia Derby (gr. II) Aug. 6 at Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort.

Two Charles Town Stakes Moved to September

• By BloodHorse Staff
• June 7, 2016
• Thoroughbred Racing, Northeast Region, Midwest Region

Two stakes that guarantee the winners berths in West Virginia Breeders Classics races at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races have been moved from August to September to avoid a conflict with new stakes at Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort.

WVRC Grills CT Officials on Resurfacing

• By Tom LaMarra
• May 11, 2016
• Northeast Region, Mid-Atlantic Region

Officials with Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races told the West Virginia Racing Commission May 11 the usual protocol was followed for a track resurfacing project stalled by rainy weather and the discovery of rocks in the new material.

Rain, Rocks Stall Charles Town Resurfacing

• By Tom LaMarra
• May 9, 2016
• Northeast Region, Mid-Atlantic Region

More than three inches of rain since April 27 has stalled resurfacing of the racetrack at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races, which has canceled live racing for May 11-12.

Charles Town Cancels Friday, Saturday Cards

• By BloodHorse Staff
• May 4, 2016
• Thoroughbred Racing, Southeast Region

Live racing at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races on both May 6 and May 7 has been cancelled because of unforeseen circumstances with scheduled track resurfacing following the Charles Town Classic (gr. II).

The Week in Photos for 4/26/2016

• April 26, 2016

Los Alamitos, Evangeline Downs, Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races, Hong Kong, Keeneland, Laurel Park & More

Stanford Gate to Wire in Charles Town Classic

• By Tom LaMarra
• April 23, 2016
• Midwest Region, Mid-Atlantic Region

Stanford, who just missed winning the $500,000 Gulfstream Park Handicap (gr. II) in his previous start, got the lion's share of a much bigger pot with a victory in the $1.25 million Charles Town Classic (gr. II) April 23.

Imperative, Page McKenney Return for Charles Town Classic

• By Tom LaMarra
• April 20, 2016
• Thoroughbred Racing, Northeast Region, Mid-Atlantic Region

Imperative and Page McKenney, second and third, respectively, behind Moreno in last year's Charles Town Classic (gr. II), are among 10 older horses entered in the $1.25 million event April 23 at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races.

Charles Town Classic Attracts 56 Nominees

• By BloodHorse Staff
• March 29, 2016
• Thoroughbred Racing, Northeast Region, Mid-Atlantic Region

In keeping with tradition, California-based horses again populate the list of nominees for the $1.25 million Charles Town Classic (gr. II), which this year will be run April 23.

Charles Town Renews Donation to CANTER

• By BloodHorse Staff
• March 14, 2016
• Horse Health, Northeast Region, Mid-Atlantic Region, Off Track Thoroughbreds

Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races will make a $10,000 donation to CANTER Mid-Atlantic for the eighth consecutive year as part of its Charles Town Classic (gr. II) program April 23.

WV Racing Supporters Tout Economic Benefits

• By Tom LaMarra
• March 1, 2016
• Northeast Region, Mid-Atlantic Region

Pro-racing lawmakers in West Virginia took part in a March 1 Capitol press conference to discuss the economic impact of Thoroughbred racing and breeding given legislation that would decouple live racing from gaming.

WV Racing Groups to Rally at Capitol

• By Tom LaMarra
• February 29, 2016
• Northeast Region, Mid-Atlantic Region

Racing interests and their legislative representatives plan a rally March 1 at the West Virginia Capitol in Charleston to combat bills that call for the decoupling of live racing from gaming.

Racetrack Gaming Issues Heat Up in WV

• By Tom LaMarra
• February 25, 2016
• Northeast Region, Midwest Region, Mid-Atlantic Region

The West Virginia Senate Feb. 25 had first reading on legislation that would defund and decouple greyhound racing from gaming but maintain requirements that Thoroughbred racing receive its share of gaming revenue.

WV Bill Would Decouple Racing and Gaming

• By Tom LaMarra
• February 12, 2016
• Northeast Region, Mid-Atlantic Region

Legislation that would remove the requirement that racetracks with gaming also offer live racing has been introduced in the West Virginia Senate.

WV Bill Calls for Restoration of Purse Funds

• By Tom LaMarra
• January 29, 2016
• Northeast Region, Mid-Atlantic Region

Legislation that would restore video lottery terminal-generated purse funds that have been diverted to pay down a workers' compensation debt has been introduced in the West Virginia House of Delegates.

Charles Town Reschedules Jan. 29-30 Cards

• By BloodHorse Staff
• January 28, 2016
• Thoroughbred Racing, Mid-Atlantic Region

Citing "the prolonged impact of the extreme winter weather that moved through the area this past week," Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races' Jan. 29-30 live racing programs have been recheduled for Feb. 2-3.

Charles Town Races Cancels Jan. 28 Racing

• By BloodHorse Staff
• January 27, 2016
• Thoroughbred Racing, Mid-Atlantic Region

Citing the continued impact of the extreme winter weather that moved through West Virginia's eastern panhandle last weekend, Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races has canceled live racing for Thursday, Jan. 28.

WVRC to Evaluate Charles Town Racing Surface

• By Tom LaMarra
• January 19, 2016
• Northeast Region, Mid-Atlantic Region

The West Virginia Racing Commission, citing comments it has received, on Jan. 19 voted to conduct an evaluation of the racing surface at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races.

Charles Town Races Cancels Thursday Card

• By BloodHorse Staff
• January 13, 2016
• Thoroughbred Racing, Mid-Atlantic Region

Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races has cancelled live racing for Thursday, Jan. 14 as personnel continue to repair a drainage leak under the track apron that created a hole on the outside rail of the track on Saturday.

Charles Town Reports Record Per-Race Handle

• By BloodHorse Staff
• December 29, 2015
• Thoroughbred Racing, Mid-Atlantic Region

Officials at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races report the track enjoyed record handle per race of $111,664 for its 1,447 races in 2015.

WVRC OKs $1.25M Charles Town Classic Purse

• By Tom LaMarra
• December 23, 2015
• Northeast Region, Mid-Atlantic Region

The West Virginia Racing Commission Dec. 23 approved the $1.25 million purse for the 2016 Charles Town Classic (gr. II), but the vote wasn't unanimous.

Espinosa New Track Announcer at Charles Town

• By BloodHorse Staff
• December 18, 2015
• Thoroughbred Racing, Mid-Atlantic Region

Paul Espinosa will become the full-time track announcer at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races when the 2016 meet begins Jan. 7.

Penalties in Jockey Weigh-Out Case Upheld

• By Tom LaMarra
• November 19, 2015
• Northeast Region, Mid-Atlantic Region

West Virginia's high court has overturned a circuit court decision that vacated a WVRC order to suspend and fine seven jockeys in a 2009 case in which they were permitted to ride over the published weight.

Further Cuts Expected for WV Racing Dates

• By Tom LaMarra
• November 18, 2015
• Thoroughbred Racing, Northeast Region, Mid-Atlantic Region

The West Virginia Racing Commission Nov. 18 approved customary live racing dates, but the schedules for Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races and Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort are expected to be drastically reduced.

Charitable Annuity Takes WV Breeders' Classic

• By Tom LaMarra
• October 11, 2015
• Thoroughbred Racing, Northeast Region, Mid-Atlantic Region

Charitable Annuity won the $450,000 West Virginia Breeders' Classic Oct. 10 for owner Mark Russell, whose other entrant, the venerable Russell Road, checked in ninth in his attempt to win the race for a fourth time.

Popular Russell Road Wins for 30th Time

• By Tom LaMarra
• September 20, 2015
• Thoroughbred Racing, Northeast Region, Mid-Atlantic Region

Russell Road, the most popular horse to race at Charles Town Races since Onion Juice in the 1980s, won for the 30th time in a Sept. 19 state-bred handicap to move closer to the $2 million mark in career earnings.

WV Racing Industry Sets Legislative Goals

• By Tom LaMarra
• August 26, 2015
• Northeast Region, Mid-Atlantic Region

The West Virginia racing industry will pursue several initiatives during the 2016 legislative session, including statutory changes that would lower the minimum number of racing dates for which tracks must apply each year.

Charles Town to Help in Breast Cancer Fight

• By BloodHorse Staff
• July 14, 2015
• Thoroughbred Racing, Mid-Atlantic Region

In partnership with the West Virginia affiliate of Susan G. Komen, Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races has scheduled a weekend of activities dedicated to the fight against breast cancer.

Charles Town, Horsemen Strike Three-Year Deal

• By Tom LaMarra
• June 24, 2015
• Northeast Region, Mid-Atlantic Region

After multiple extensions of their old contract, Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races and the Charles Town Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association have struck a new contract for a minimum of three years.

WV Racing to Have Role in Legislative Review

• By Tom LaMarra
• June 2, 2015
• Northeast Region, Mid-Atlantic Region

The West Virginia Racing Commission June 2 authorized creation of a committee that will be charged with providing information to a legislative committee that will study the state's racing and gaming industries.

Casey Mourns Loss of Homebred Down Town Allen

• By BloodHorse Staff
• May 12, 2015
• Thoroughbred Racing, Mid-Atlantic Region

Standout West Virginia-bred mare Down Town Allen was euthanized May 12 as a result of complications arising out of injuries she suffered in the Original Gold Stakes April 18 at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races.

Watson, Banned Almost 10 Years, Wins Appeal

• By Tom LaMarra
• May 7, 2015
• Northeast Region, Mid-Atlantic Region

A former president of the Charles Town Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association who was barred from Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races for almost 10 years has won his appeal for reinstatement.

WV Analysis: Purses Can't Support Race Dates

• By Tom LaMarra
• April 21, 2015
• Northeast Region, Mid-Atlantic Region

A West Virginia Racing Commission purse analysis based on revenue projections from all sources indicates the state and its racetracks have serious issues to address regarding live racing dates in the future.

Shared Belief to Undergo Nuclear Scan

• By BloodHorse Staff
• April 19, 2015
• Thoroughbred Racing, West Region, Mid-Atlantic Region

Shared Belief will undergo a nuclear scan April 19, said Dan Ward, assistant to trainer Jerry Hollendorfer.

Taketheodds, Russell Road Win at Charles Town

• By Tom LaMarra
• April 18, 2015
• Thoroughbred Racing, Northeast Region, Mid-Atlantic Region

Robert Manfuso's homebred Taketheodds, with Mike Smith aboard, ran down front-running Flattering Bea at the wire to capture the $150,000 Sugar Maple Stakes at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races April 18.

Shared Belief Eased as Moreno Wins CT Classic

• By Tom LaMarra
• April 18, 2015
• Thoroughbred Racing, Breeders' Cup, Northeast Region, Mid-Atlantic Region

Multiple grade I winner Shared Belief failed to finish April 18 in the $1.5 million Charles Town Classic (gr. II), eased by Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith as Southern Stables' Moreno took the 1 1/8-mile test at Charles Town.

Eight to Tackle Shared Belief in CT Classic

• By Tom LaMarra
• April 16, 2015
• Thoroughbred Racing, Northeast Region, Mid-Atlantic Region

Eight foes will line up to take a shot at Shared Belief, arguably the top older horse in North America, in the $1.5 million Charles Town Classic (gr. II) April 18 at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races.

WV-Bred Rematch Spices CT Classic Undercard

• By Tom LaMarra
• April 16, 2015
• Thoroughbred Racing, Northeast Region, Mid-Atlantic Region

Two rugged West Virginia-breds, each of whom has won 23 times at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races, will square off again to spice up the undercard for the April 18 Charles Town Classic (gr. II) program.

Shared Belief Has Final Work for CT Classic

• By BloodHorse Staff
• April 14, 2015
• Thoroughbred Racing, Northeast Region, Mid-Atlantic Region

Shared Belief, winner of the Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I) in his last start, turned in his final workout April 14 in preparation for the $1.5 million Charles Town Classic (gr. II) April 18.

Charles Town Gets OK to Reduce Schedule

• By Tom LaMarra
• April 8, 2015
• Northeast Region, Mid-Atlantic Region

Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races has been approved to shave 27 racing programs from its 2015 schedule.

HRTV to Air Penn National Gaming Challenge

• By BloodHorse Staff
• April 1, 2015
• Thoroughbred Racing, Mid-Atlantic Region

HRTV will provide coverage of the remaining five events in the Penn Gaming Racing Challenge, as well as the West Virginia Breeders' Classics, according to Penn National Racing.