River Downs gets a new name........

[JustRalph]

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20131023/BIZ/310230224/River-Downs-become-Belterra-Park

Belterra Park Gaming & Entertainment Center........opening in May.......

Check out the video

[Track Collector]

I guess we can expect another race track designation change. :bang:

[NJ Stinks]

I miss River Downs already.

[proximity]

I guess we can expect another race track designation change. :bang:

blt?:confused:

[duncan04]

blt?:confused:

No BLT is already used at some training center

[shouldacoulda]

Bra? ;)

[wisconsin]

Used to go to RD every Labor Day when they ran all long and mostly turf cards. They had this cool little Dixieland Band with a really good trumpet player that roved the stands...was a fun time, fun crowd, good racing.

[PoloUK6108]

Unfortunate that they're changing the name..but living in KY I have high hopes for the renovation. I'd imagine it won't bode well for Turfway, though.

[Robert Goren]

The name has been changed to protect the innocent bettor.:rolleyes:

[CincyHorseplayer]

I won't know whether I like how it caters to myself as a player til they open and even though slots interest me zero I like that there will be more food options and such.They way things are setup down there with Riverbend music center right next door and the place I grew up at as a kid in the summer,Coney island(3 million gallon pool),right next to that,I can see not coming back home for possibly entire weekends!I think it's going to be great.Not enamored of the name change but it will still be my homebase for 4 months of the year.I started going to the pool and track with my godfather when I was 7 years old,next season will make 34 years.It's really a unique setup IMO.Can't wait!

[jballscalls]

I got to work at River Downs for a few years and the place was such a charming location. Used to love to walk down into the outdoor grandstand and talk to some of the guys in the bleachers. The view of the KY hills in the backdrop will still be there though. Really hoping the track will be a big success.

[speed]

No BLT is already used at some training center
Guess what the daily lunch special would be with that name.

[Tom]

So much for a game of tradition.
Why don't we just rename them all Crap Track #1, Crap Track #2........

New code....WGF :ThmbDown: :ThmbDown: :ThmbDown:

[Thomas Roulston]

Remember when Beulah Park was Darby Downs, but then when back to being Beulah Park again?

And I actually liked their unique turf course, which sadly is no longer in use.

[CincyHorseplayer]

Remember when Beulah Park was Darby Downs, but then when back to being Beulah Park again?

And I actually liked their unique turf course, which sadly is no longer in use.

Rastajenk works for River Downs and he said they are putting the turf course back in.From the pictures you can see the base is laid for it.

[wisconsin]

Remember when Beulah Park was Darby Downs, but then when back to being Beulah Park again?

And I actually liked their unique turf course, which sadly is no longer in use.


Got chewed up from concerts and there was always an issue with frost according to someone I spoke to on a visit some 20 years ago. Was a 6 furlong turf course, if I recall correctly.

[JustRalph]

I watched a couple of good concerts on that turf course.....back in the day.

[rastajenk]

I drove by River Downs yesterday for the first time since demolition/reconstruction began. Big changes, for sure. Some new barns (badly needed), new layout, new everything. I will try to get back soon and take some pix and post them.

I don't like the name change either. Just as I (and no one I know) never referred the old Riverfront Stadium by its corporate name, I'll probably always call this place "the River." I'd be OK with something like River Downs at Belterra Park; but if someone around here says he's "going to Belterra," most folks will assume he's going to the Indy casino, I would think. Oh well...life in the corporate gaming age, I guess.

P.S: The Beulah turf was 5f. A short stretch, to say the least.

[rastajenk]

From earlier this week:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7361/10607541976_aeb2884e3c.jpgview from far turn

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2840/10607421954_022b461652.jpg

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2888/10607593543_7653bb8fbe.jpgnew chute for longer sprints

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5478/10607500636_3deae756f4.jpg

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3750/10607739225_8d2a2b3c35.jpg

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5534/10608177453_f1fde75bd9.jpg new barns along Kellogg

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3702/10608047986_98558c09c3.jpg

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5505/10608098855_f47a28c293.jpg test barn at 1/4 mile chute

Larger versions at my flickr page (http://www.flickr.com/photos/el_jenquo/)

[thespaah]

Gonna guess.
BPK....Upper case so as not confuse the newbs thinking it might be Belmont

[FrankieFigs]

I was there Belmont Day in 2011. Loved the place. Wish I would have made it back one more time before the rebuild.

I am gonna work hard at making a trip back this summer to check it out. As jballscalls stated, the background scenery is really nice.

[JustRalph]

Are they putting in a flood wall? Isn't this the place that floods?

I flew over in my plane once coming out of Lunken Airport and there was water up to the middle of the barns.............

How do you put a ton of money into it with it being that flood prone?

http://alt.coxnewsweb.com/shared-blogs/dayton/throughthearch/upload/2011/04/horses_evacuated_from_river_do/marchflood.jpg

[duncan04]

Are they putting in a flood wall? Isn't this the place that floods?

I flew over in my plane once coming out of Lunken Airport and there was water up to the middle of the barns.............

How do you put a ton of money into it with it being that flood prone?

http://alt.coxnewsweb.com/shared-blogs/dayton/throughthearch/upload/2011/04/horses_evacuated_from_river_do/marchflood.jpg


Good question. Was wondering the same thing

[CincyHorseplayer]

They built the base level on big concrete pillars which is over the flood plain.That level will be a parking garage.

That picture brought back memories.I got a job there that year just to be close to the game and bet everyday that summer.My first task was going through the clubhouse in a row boat and pull down TV's!

[CincyHorseplayer]

I drove by River Downs yesterday for the first time since demolition/reconstruction began. Big changes, for sure. Some new barns (badly needed), new layout, new everything. I will try to get back soon and take some pix and post them.

I don't like the name change either. Just as I (and no one I know) never referred the old Riverfront Stadium by its corporate name, I'll probably always call this place "the River." I'd be OK with something like River Downs at Belterra Park; but if someone around here says he's "going to Belterra," most folks will assume he's going to the Indy casino, I would think. Oh well...life in the corporate gaming age, I guess.

P.S: The Beulah turf was 5f. A short stretch, to say the least.

Hey Lee,two questions(I saw you said they were building a chute).

1)Is the chute long enough to get 7f or just 6.5?Either way I think it's great.I love longer sprints.

2)It looks like the turf base is laid but no hedge up.They are putting in a turf course right,or is this just my imagination?

[rastajenk]

The chute is 6.5f now, but there's room to extend it to 7f in the future; that's what I've been told. And yes, there will be a turf course. I think they're going with a safety rail on the turf, too, instead of a hedge.

[CincyHorseplayer]

The chute is 6.5f now, but there's room to extend it to 7f in the future; that's what I've been told. And yes, there will be a turf course. I think they're going with a safety rail on the turf, too, instead of a hedge.

I figured as much.That makes the sprint game a whole lot better at River.Looking forward to it.Now about the turf course.Can we bend their ear to write the condition book so those races fill with more than claimers?!!Hell if they eliminated the N1Y-2 years and wrote the turf conditions well that handle would go up bigtime!

[pele polo]

Thanks a lot for the pictures.

But I'm not seeing how this new construction works as a geandstand. And I imagine they'll be tearing down those bleachers since the track was moved and the seating will be further up the stretch?

[CincyHorseplayer]

Thanks a lot for the pictures.

But I'm not seeing how this new construction works as a geandstand. And I imagine they'll be tearing down those bleachers since the track was moved and the seating will be further up the stretch?

I'm wondering how it functions ontrack too.It was close and comfortable before,I fear it's going to be disjointed and far away now.And hopefully(fingers crossed)it doesn't get the "Necessary evil" B-level treatment.All the gals in my family love these slot machines and the casinos cater to them.Best be seeing these people at least listen to me if I have suggestions or I'll be pissed.The other thing they need to do is open the damn gates everyday.I park over at the pool,swim a couple hours,and head next door and they have the damn gate closed half the time.Forcing you to drive over to their parking lot.It's stupid.

Anyway I'm heading in with a head full of steam and optimism and see how it goes.I am totally looking forward to next summer.

[rastajenk]

The new "grandstand," if it can really be called that, can be seen in the first couple of pictures. It joins the casino at about the finish line on the track. It's smallish, to say the least, but probably large enough. The casino area itself has several balconies, or porches, that overlook the run into the clubhouse turn, to entice the eater/drinkers and slots punchers to step out and watch the real action.

I don't know if anything is planned for the ground level, to recreate the Tiki Bar atmosphere near the paddock formerly. I hope so. Hanging out with the participants of the sport is a big part of the live experience.

[CincyHorseplayer]

The new "grandstand," if it can really be called that, can be seen in the first couple of pictures. It joins the casino at about the finish line on the track. It's smallish, to say the least, but probably large enough. The casino area itself has several balconies, or porches, that overlook the run into the clubhouse turn, to entice the eater/drinkers and slots punchers to step out and watch the real action.

I don't know if anything is planned for the ground level, to recreate the Tiki Bar atmosphere near the paddock formerly. I hope so. Hanging out with the participants of the sport is a big part of the live experience.

Yeah you know I'm a paddock rat even if I'm camped out on my perch to look at the races with the 10 x 50's!Hell man what are the plans for the new paddock?I'm hoping the whole setup is as accessible as it was.As far as ontrack itself I like the landscape of River,the actual ontrack locale better than Keeneland.The entire outer of Keeneland is awesome,the track itself,now especially that it's synthetic,to me is a total anus.The layout and background of River is awesome!

[5k-claim]

The new "grandstand," if it can really be called that, can be seen in the first couple of pictures. It joins the casino at about the finish line on the track. It's smallish, to say the least, but probably large enough. The casino area itself has several balconies, or porches, that overlook the run into the clubhouse turn, to entice the eater/drinkers and slots punchers to step out and watch the real action.

I don't know if anything is planned for the ground level, to recreate the Tiki Bar atmosphere near the paddock formerly. I hope so. Hanging out with the participants of the sport is a big part of the live experience. Thanks so much for these updates and pictures! I have kept an eye out for this thread because you are providing some really good information. River Downs is as much a home track to me as Turfway, of course. Glad to hear there will be a turf course- I would have really bet against that happening.

Now that Cincy mentions it, I really do hope the saddling paddock is decent. The old one was way, way too cramped and dangerous at the stalls. I hated it. Not asking to saddle out in the wide open under trees like at Keeneland (which I don't like but don't hate), but at least a little space is welcomed. A lot of tracks around here get that right (Turfway, Churchill, Ellis, Indiana Downs, Mountaineer outside are all okay.)

Oh well, I guess we'll just see what happens. I am just happy that River will be open again next year.

Thanks again!

[rastajenk]

For those interested, click this link (http://oxblue.com/open/riverdowns) to view a cam shot of the new facility. Hit the Play button for a quick time-lapse view of the entire process. Fun stuff. :)

[jballscalls]

For those interested, click this link (http://oxblue.com/open/riverdowns) to view a cam shot of the new facility. Hit the Play button for a quick time-lapse view of the entire process. Fun stuff. :)

it's covered in snow!! :)

I was talking to a buddy of mine, it's going to be a super low angle for the cameras, press box, announcer etc. They are in the windows at the top of the grandstand under the white awning, literally only 20 or 25 feet up in the air. Be interesting to see what the camera angle is like so low.

[rastajenk]

I was thinking the same thing, only in terms of stewards, unpopular decisions, proximity, stuff like that. :D

[jballscalls]

I was thinking the same thing, only in terms of stewards, unpopular decisions, proximity, stuff like that. :D

you have much different considerations for racetracks than I do :)

However you're right...you could literally walk right up to the top row of bleachers and scream right into the Stews window from what I've seen.

[Maximillion]

I made a bet here (BTP) for the first time and did a double take watching the track feed.Looks like the place is packed.