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.