Management at Mahoning Valley has decided to cancel racing again tomorrow due to
the anticipated wind chill.
Both cancelled days will be rescheduled.
Training is also cancelled at Mahoning Valley on Wednesday. There will be
training Friday weather permitting.
Management at Mahoning Valley has decided to cancel racing tomorrow due to the
anticipated wind chill.
Mangement does not need HBPA approval to cancel and they did not have it here.
By contract the day will be made up at a date to be determined later.
There will be training on Tuesday.
January 8, 2024
Barn 7 at Mahoning Valley Race Course has been quarantined due to horse in that barn returning a positive nasal swab test for Strangles last Friday.
All of the horses in barn 7 had nasal swab tests performed on them on Sunday, January 7th and those swabs were delivered to the Ohio Department of Agriculture on Monday, January 8th for testing.
Other than barn 7 horses continue to be allowed to ship in and out of Mahoning Valley Race Course at this time.
Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course will welcome fans back to the races for its 10th anniversary season this Saturday with an eight-race card starting at 12:00pm. “We are excited to open the gate on our tenth season of live racing,” comments Rob Swedinovich, Vice President and General Manager, “and to help us celebrate we will be offering a free live program on our website throughout the entire season.” Bettors can find the free program link at www.hollywoodmahoningvalley.com/racing.
The first stakes action of the meet will be on October 28 when the top Ohio Breds take to the track competing for half a million dollars in purses in the final Best of Ohio stakes of 2023. Three weeks later on November 20 with a special first race post time of 12:00pm is the return of the Steel Valley Sprint for 3 year olds going 6 furlongs which will see a purse boost to $300,000 this year. Featured alongside the Steel Valley Sprint is the $200,000 Cheryl C White Memorial for 3 year old fillies going 6 furlongs. First run at Mahoning Valley in April of 2021, the third edition of the Cheryl C White Memorial has received a significant purse increase and found a new home in the fall stakes schedule to help raise awareness of Cheryl and her story. “This change has been a long time coming with initial discussions of the move beginning in the winner’s circle right after the second running in April of 2022,” states Director of Racing Elizabeth Rogers, “We saw an opportunity to do more and help bring Cheryl’s story into the spotlight.” Nominations for the Steel Valley Sprint and Cheryl C White Memorial close November 6.
Some familiar sights and interesting changes are available for handicappers at this year’s meet. The 15% takeout Pick 3, Pick 4, and Pick 5 wagers will be returning with the Pick 5 being offered as a $1 minimum. Also returning to the wagering menu is the $.20 Buckeye Jackpot Pick 6 which will see an adjustment of its consolation/carryover split to 50/50 from the previous 30/70.
Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course races Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday with a first race post time of 12:55pm in October, March, and April and a 12:45pm first race post time in November through February. Four Saturday race cards are scheduled on October 21, October 28, December 30 and April 13 with a first race post time of 12:00pm. The fall race meet runs October 21 – December 30, 2023. The 2024 Winter/Spring race meet runs January 1, 2024 – April 13, 2024. The 2024 dates are currently pending approval by the Ohio State Racing Commission.
The potential Strangles horse test came back negative.
The quarantine has been lifted and regular training hours will resume tomorrow.
Dr. Doug Daniels, President of the National HBPA, recently had an opinion piece published on Fox News. In it, Dr. Daniels explains why Congress needs to pass the Racehorse Health and Safety Act (RHSA) for the survival of our industry. We are finally getting our message out that the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act is failing to protect the health of racehorses, despite its tremendous cost to the industry. And it’s unconstitutional. It’s time to replace it with RHSA.
Click here to read editorial
Here are some select quotes from Dr. Daniels’ article:
Horse Racing supports “tens of thousands of jobs for everyday Americans . . . who are privileged to care for and train these animals.”
“And all of these jobs are at risk because of an unconstitutional law passed by Congress two years ago that has horseracing on life support.”
“The nearly 30,000 horseracing trainers and owners who belong to the National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association are fighting to protect their constitutional rights and their jobs — and winning.”
“Congress cannot authorize private police departments with all the powers of government and none of the safeguards like transparency and democratic accountability.”
“Veterinarians, trainers and owners know what their animals need to thrive and should not have bureaucrats at a federal agency or a private authority coming between them and their animals.”
“This race is headed to the Supreme Court . . . . After that, the alternative Racehorse Health and Safety Act will be ready to go as a science-based, state-led replacement. Horsemen and horses deserve nothing less than excellent care and a fair chance to compete.”
HAVE YOUR VOICE HEARD: Tell Congress to support RHSA
Horsemen: If you agree with Dr. Daniels, please use (if you haven’t already) this convenient advocacy tool to send your U.S. Representative an automated message urging him or her to support and co-sponsor the Racehorse Health and Safety Act (RHSA) that would repeal and replace HISA. It just takes 30 seconds – type in your name, address, email and phone number and click on “send message” and it will automatically go to your Representative. Click here for link.
We don’t have the millions of dollars that are at the disposal of the well-funded minority backing HISA. Our only way to create meaningful change is through our power in numbers and grass-roots advocacy networking. Please share these links with everyone working with you and on your social media channels:
Dr. Daniels’ editorial on FoxNews.com: https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/congress-abused-power-rein-horse-racing-heres-ride-rescue
Tell your U.S. Representative to support, co-sponsor the RHSA to repeal, replace HISA
https://mstr.app/3d47fc18-16ab-4da0-98b8-5a6f268b4be0
Beginning Tuesday, October 10th while the quarantine lasts there will be a revised training schedule at Thistledown as follows:
General population training hours 7:00 to 9:30am
break 9:30 to 9:50 am
Barn 15 training hours 9:50 t0 11:00am
Gate will be open from 8 to 9am
Training and Gate Schooling Hours
Training Hours Gate Schooling Hours
Sunday 7:00am – 10:30am Closed
Monday 7:00am – 10:30am 9:00am – 10:30am
Tuesday 7:00am – 10:30am 9:00am – 10:30am
Wednesday7:00am – 10:30am 9:00am – 10:30am
Thursday 7:00am – 10:30am 9:00am – 10:30am
Friday Closed Closed
Saturday (Dark) 7:00am – 10:30am 9:00am – 10:30am
Saturday (Live) 7:00am – 10:00am 9:00am – 10:00am No break on Saturday live racing days
Renovation Break: 8:30am – 9am
Adjusted Training Hours
Training Hours Gate Schooling Hours
Mon, Nov 20 7:00am – 10:00am, No Break 9:00am – 10:00am
Thurs, Nov 23 Closed Closed
Fri, Nov 24 7:00am – 10:30am Closed
Fri, Dec 22 7:00am – 10:30am 9:00am – 10:30am
Mon, Dec 25 Closed Closed
Fri, March 29 7:00am – 10:30am 9:00am – 10:30am
Sun, March 31 Closed Closed
Training begins Saturday, October 7th, 2023.
United States District Court Chief Judge Algenon Marbley yesterday granted the Ohio HBPA’s motion for prejudgment interest in their case versus Belterra Park et. al. for retroactive VLT monies owed.
In March, 2023 Chief Judge Marbley had granted the HBPA’s motion for summary judgment in the case in the amount of $2,872,910.45 and allowed the HBPA to file for prejudgment interest in the case.
Yesterday’s ruling grants the Ohio HBPA $613,307.34 in prejudgment interest for a total final judgment of $3,486,217.79. Belterra Park has 30 days to appeal the final judgment.
A copy of yesterday’s ruling can be seen below.
Decision Granting In Part Prejudgment Interest (2)
ue to anticipated excessive heat Belterra park management has decided to cancel
racing both Thursday, August 24th and Friday August, 25th.
Thursday’s card will be run as previously drawn next Tuesday, August 29th. Any
horsemen wishing to scratch from that card may do so without penalty.
The makeup day for Friday will be held on Tuesday, October 3rd.
