Ohio Harness Hurting Too

[JustRalph]

I believe that MTR Gaming still owns Scioto Downs?

http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/sports/stories/2008/06/04/scioto_downs_50_years.ART_ART_06-04-08_C1_B7AD47S.html?sid=101


Once upon a time, when the sport of kings was king in Columbus, the horse-track business was this simple:

Build it, and they will come.

That's what Charlie Hill did, buying 134 acres of the Hartman farm south of town and opening Scioto Downs for business in the fall of 1959.

"You would open the gates, and people flocked to the track," said Jerry Kalb, Scioto Downs assistant general manager, who has been involved with the harness track for 37 years.

Veteran driver and trainer Sandy Beatty remembers going to the track in the 1960s and '70s, "when you had to get there an hour early just to get a seat and the grandstands were full."

Back then, the track drew such great horses as Bret Hanover, Ramblin' Willie, Nero and Falcon Almahurst.

But Columbus -- and the racing business in general -- has changed tremendously over the years, to the detriment of Scioto Downs.

The grandstands no longer are packed, except for a few special occasions. The clubhouse still serves good food, but it no longer is a destination restaurant.

"We used to have a dress code," retired general manager Bob Steele said. "We bought a bunch of coats to have on hand in case people needed one (to get in)."

As the track celebrates its 50th year of racing this spring and summer, it is hanging on for dear life, a money-losing proposition whose owners cling to the hope that Ohio voters will one day approve of adding slot machines.

~more at the link~




Tough times
Wednesday, June 4, 2008 3:21 AM


Ohio's horse industry is struggling as neighboring states have approved casino gambling at tracks, increasing income and race purses. A racing advocacy group, Save Ohio Horse Racing, has compiled the following indicators:

Wagering at Ohio tracks
1998: $628.8 million

2007: $372 million

Decrease: 40.8 percent



Daily average purses (2006)
Indiana: $101,217

Pennsylvania: $77,974

Ohio: $42,737



Ohio Standardbred foal production
1995: 1,940

2006: 1,468

Decrease: 24.3 percent

[Tom Barrister]

It's tough all around. Handle has fallen in more places than it's gone up. Without simulcasting and/or Racino's, many more would have disappeared already.

Back in 1959, cable TV didn't exist, Telstar (the forerunner of satellites) was three years away from being launched, there were no personal computers, let alone an Internet, no mass-home-distribution of movies (i.e. rentals), etc. There weren't as many recreational options back then as there are now.

For gambling purposes, there weren't any legal alternatives to the race track then, besides perhaps church sponsored events such as bingo. The first legal modern lottery (New Hampshire) was five years away, legal casino gambling only existed in Nevada, poker was played in homes and back rooms, and sports-betting was done through bookies. People who wanted to get some action down went to the tracks.

Of course, it's different now, and many who used to go to the track are opting for the casinos, cardrooms, lottery, etc. Those who still play the track will often opt for betting online, by phone, or at an simulcast center/OTB. With gas prices what they are, those who want to bet on the races have even more reason to stay at home or go to a nearby OTB outlet. And of course, the tracks aren't doing their cause any favors by continuing to charge for parking and admissions.

[Murph]

Thanks Ralph, I think your bib overalls are showing a bit in that post. What is the current situation in Ohio with the lottery proposal that you mentioned several weeks ago? The governor had announced intentions to take slot type gaming under the state lotto umbrella. It was mentioned that there was no provision for additional horse race industy funding in his proposal. Can that be allowed to stand in the face of voter wishes there? Is that thing still on the table?

Murph