The Ohio Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association has signed 10-year racing agreements with the under-construction Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course and ThistleDown Racino, formerly known as Thistledown.
It appears rather than having one percentage for the amount of revenue that goes to purses from video lottery terminals, Ohio could have a different number for each of its seven racetracks.
Dr. George Sikora builds Mapleton Farm in Buckeye State. Download Now
With a deadline fast approaching, Ohio racetracks and horsemen's groups indicated Dec. 19 they are close to having definite deals on the percentage of video lottery terminal revenue that will go to purses.
Time is running out for Ohio racetracks and horsemen's groups to agree on the percentage of video lottery terminal revenue that will go to purses and breed development programs.
Racing dates for five tracks will remain undecided until at least Nov. 21, the date of the next Ohio State Racing Commission meeting.
The Ohio State Racing Commission was unable to act on 2014 racing dates at its Sept. 24 meeting, but a horsemen's representative said negotiations on dates are progressing.
River Downs, demolished earlier this year to make way for an integrated racing and gaming facility, plans to open in early May in 2014 and race through September, according to a request for racing dates.
John Velazquez, Saratoga, Monmouth, Thistledown, Woodbine, Palace Malice, Verrazano, Arapahoe & more view slideshow
Title Contender broke through for his first stakes win in the Ohio Derby when he defeated a field of six challengers in the grade III affair at Thistledown July 27.
Seven 3-year-olds, all in search of their first graded stakes victory, are signed on for the $100,000 Ohio Derby (gr. III) July 27, the signature race at Thistledown.
The lack of an agreement on a revenue split from video lottery terminals continues to keep the signal from ThistleDown Racino from being exported outside of Ohio.
Veteran jockey T.D. Houghton registered the 5,000th win of his career May 4 when he guided 3-5 favorite Mambo Galliano, owned by Shane Spiess, to a 6 1/2-length victory in a $4,000 claiming race at Thistledown.
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association Safety and Integrity Alliance will soon release its 2013 code of standards and expects to re-accredit 16 racetracks this year.
As the first Thoroughbred track in Ohio prepares to open its video lottery terminal facility, purses are up. But some longtime horsemen in the state are on a waiting list for stalls.
Companies that plan to construct new racetrack gaming facilities in Ohio have been summoned to appear before the Ohio State Racing Commission for a third time March 27.
The number of Thoroughbred broodmares registered in Ohio in 2012 jumped 53.9% from 2011 to 2012, according to Ohio State Racing Commission statistics.
The Ohio State Racing Commission Dec. 13 approved the distribution of more than $1.77 million in revenue racing has received from non-track casinos in the state.
Fifty-one horses are entered in the five races that make up the Best of Ohio, an event that figures to benefit in future years from video lottery terminal revenue.
With one exception, there could be little change in live racing dates at Ohio tracks in 2013, but significant alterations are possible for 2014 should more facilities begin operating video lottery terminals.
The company whose permit to operate Thistledown was approved by the Ohio State Racing Commission Aug. 22 indicated the planned video lottery terminal operation at the racetrack will be more than temporary.
Trainers, jockeys, backstretch workers, and fans at Thistledown near Cleveland, Ohio, have raised $6,000 to help a groom who being is treated for cancer.
Jockey Jacob Radosevich, 19, was released from Cleveland Ohio MetroHealth Hospital July 18 after being treated for injuries sustained when he was injured in a July 16 accident at Thistledown.
Mackey began his racing career at entry-level positions and climbed the management ladder to become Thistledown general manager in 1976 at 36.
The only racetrack gaming facility in Ohio generated $11 million in revenue in its first month of operation, the Ohio Lottery Commission reported.
Odds-on Prospective registered his third stakes win of the year when he drew clear in the final furlong to capture the $100,000 Ohio Derby (gr. III) by 2 1/2 lengths at Thistledown July 7.
Trainer Robert Gorham saddled his 1,000th career winner June 15, sending out Banning to a 6 1/2-length win under Jeffrey Skerrett in the fourth race at Thistledown.
The Ohio State Racing Commission probably will rule on racetrack license transfers during the third quarter of this year, OSRC chairman Robert Schmitz said June 11.
The owner of Thistledown near Cleveland said June 6 it has a memorandum of understanding with the State of Ohio to install video lottery terminals at the racetrack, but also reserves the right to move the operation.
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).
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.
A smaller horse population as its 2011 meet nears an end was cited for cancellation of live racing Oct. 27 at Thistledown.
Eagle Time, a 14-year-old horse owned and trained by Rick Jordan, has alternated between the racetrack and the breeding shed since 2009.
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 Rodney Faulkner hit the 1,000 career-win milestone Sept. 9 when Fire Chief won the second race at Thistledown.
Midwest Thoroughbreds took Churchill Downs' top owner title. read blog
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.
Two consultants will soon issue a report recommending ways for Ohio to improve live racing apart from the anticipated revenue from video lottery terminals.
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.
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 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.
Jason, Tom and Les of TwinSpires.com handicap the Aristides Stakes at Churchill Downs and the Ohio Derby at Thistledown. Watch Video
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
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 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.
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.
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.
The 77th running of the $100,000 Ohio Derby (gr. III) at Thistledown returns to its traditional June scheduling this year.
Longtime racing official Allen Fairbanks died Jan. 17 in Florida after a long illness.
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.
