Ohio Race Tracks
With no less than eight well maintained and well supported horse racing facilities, thoroughbred, short quarter horse and harness racing takes place throughout the year in the State of Ohio. Established in 1923, Beulah Park horse racing track, located near Grove City with easy access to downtown Columbus, has the distinction of being Ohio's first thoroughbred race track and continues to uphold its high standards of superb racing action. Another of Ohio's three thoroughbred race tracks is Thistledown, located in North Randall and established in 1931. Harness racing fans flock to Raceway Park in Toledo to enjoy the excitement of some of the State's most popular events. Northfield Park started out as a greyhound track, later becoming a midget car racing track, before making the very successful transition to a harness racing track, with races taking place throughout the year. Other horse racing tracks in Ohio are Lebanon Raceway, River Downs in Cincinnati, Scotio Downs in Columbus, and Toledo Raceway Park in Toledo.
The Ohio State Racing Commission states that it is “dedicated to the protection, preservation, and promotion of horse racing and its related industry components”. It is estimated that the horse racing industry in Ohio, which is governed by the rules and regulations of the Ohio State Racing Commission, generates roughly 16,000 jobs, both directly and indirectly, giving some indication of the significant role played by the sport in the economy of the State. Certainly, with year-round racing the commission has its work cut out for it, and continues to prove it is up to the challenge.
