Scioto Downs - anyone been?

[Versajoe]

I'm going to be in Clumbus during late September. It's after Scioto ends live racing, and before Beulah starts for the fall meet. (Grr....)

Scioto has simulcasting at least. Since I can't think of ANYTHING else to do in Columbus, I figured I would check it out.

Does anyone have any advice on getting to Scioto Downs from downtown Columbus? I don't mind taking a bus if it's somewhat safe. Any idea on how much a taxi would cost?

[Postime]

New agreement this year, what ever track is live also has the simucasting,so when the live program ends in Sept. Scioto goes dark until next May....enjoy Beulah in beautiful Grovetucky Ohio.

[Ray2000]

If you're there the day of 9/18 or that week you've got to go 25 miles north to Delaware to the Jug.
You won't regret it

Current favorite in the future wagering is Somebeachsomewhere and he's not in the race!

That's how much fans want him to show up.

http://www.littlebrownjug.com/

[wilderness]

I'm going to be in Clumbus during late September. It's after Scioto ends live racing, and before Beulah starts for the fall meet. (Grr....)

Scioto has simulcasting at least. Since I can't think of ANYTHING else to do in Columbus, I figured I would check it out.

Does anyone have any advice on getting to Scioto Downs from downtown Columbus? I don't mind taking a bus if it's somewhat safe. Any idea on how much a taxi would cost?

If you'd like an interesting day?

I'd suggest visiting the downtown library and their historian (Sam Roshon).
Mr. Roshon will dazzle you with his knowledge of the early horse tracks surrounding the Columbus area.
In addition, you might make a request to view the slides and manusript that the library system has long held on the Columbus Driving Park.

In addition, you might make a visit to the United States Trotting Association (perhaps even call first) and see what may be available to "public visitors". You might get surprised!

As a sidenote; there once was an old track located within a block of the current USTA offices. That track was named the Owen Tangy Driving Park.

"The first track in Columbus was named Capital City Jockey Club (1820) followed in order by Luca Sullivan Home then, Owen Tangy Trotting Park ( one block from the current 2002 USTA building,) and finally the Columbus Driving Park."

Later came Beulah Park and Scioto Downs.

[LottaKash]

I'm going to be in Clumbus during late September. It's after Scioto ends live racing, and before Beulah starts for the fall meet. (Grr....)

Scioto has simulcasting at least. Since I can't think of ANYTHING else to do in Columbus, I figured I would check it out.

Does anyone have any advice on getting to Scioto Downs from downtown Columbus? I don't mind taking a bus if it's somewhat safe. Any idea on how much a taxi would cost?


Hey Versajoe.....Stay on I-71s, to; I-270e to US23s, stay on US 23s about 9-10 mi, maybe less, and you will see the signs and the track will be on the left-side as you are heading south....

I hope this helps,

best,

[JustRalph]

Owen Tangy Trotting park? Where did you get that info from?

never heard of it...........fill me in?

[LottaKash]

I'm going to be in Clumbus during late September. It's after Scioto ends live racing, and before Beulah starts for the fall meet. (Grr....)

Scioto has simulcasting at least. Since I can't think of ANYTHING else to do in Columbus, I figured I would check it out.

Does anyone have any advice on getting to Scioto Downs from downtown Columbus? I don't mind taking a bus if it's somewhat safe. Any idea on how much a taxi would cost?


I don't know about bus runs down that way,but, it may be possible......

Why not rent a car for a day or two and ride around.????
best,

[JustRalph]

I don't know about bus runs down that way,but, it may be possible......

Why not rent a car for a day or two and ride around.????
best,


Rent a car, the bus service sucks and you gotta be packing to ride :lol:

You can go straight south route 23 to get to Scioto from Downtown. Scioto Downs is about 2-3 miles south of I-270 on High street. You won't miss it. Downtown 23 is known as "High" street.

Go north and you run right into Ohio State, campus area. FYI

[wilderness]

Owen Tangy Trotting park? Where did you get that info from?

never heard of it...........fill me in?

Hey Ralph,
Some 7-8 years ago, I was chasing some references for the Columbus Driving Park and spoke with Mr. Roshon by telephone he provided the name.
I've another reference (aside from Mr. Roshon's), however was unable to locate it. It may have been on a web page that is no longer active. (one time or another, when I changed computers, the dead links in bookmarks were deleted [terrible mistake; due to the viability of archive.org[).

As an aside, Mr. Roshon mentioned to me that he had some very extensive conversations with Del Miller on old tracks. The thought of Del Miller discussing old tracks with a librarian/historian struck my fancy ;)

Additionally, 7-8 years ago, I started some personal research on both the former Streeter Farm and home of Peter the Great (today Western Michigan University) and the tracks that were also once located in East Saginaw, Michigan by beginning with the Chamber of Commerece for those cities (by telephone) and requesting leads/contacts.

Many times, while I researching one reference, I stumble across another.

[Versajoe]

I'm going to be there from roughly the 22nd through the 26th - which is about as bad a week as you can get. Live racing is done, and Beulah is still closed. The only silver lining is that Scioto has simulcasting until Beulah opens up.

Is there an OTB downtown? A dog track? (Yep, I'm that desperate.) ANYTHING?

I had no idea that the USTA was there. I may look into that. The problem is that I'm going to be busy during working hours.

I may look into renting a car.

Any idea on what LIVE tracks are the closest to Columbus? I'm assuming they will be too far away for an evening drive. Lebanon Raceway is only Friday and Saturday - so that's a no-go.

[JustRalph]

Hey Wilderness, try this "Olentangy"

It is a River that runs thru the Columbus area. It comes in from the north and joins the Scioto River near Ohio State.

I have never heard of Olentangy Trotting Park, though

[wilderness]

Hey Wilderness, try this "Olentangy"

It is a River that runs thru the Columbus area. It comes in from the north and joins the Scioto River near Ohio State.

I have never heard of Olentangy Trotting Park, though

Ralph,
In "at least 47-49 (perphaps longer) there was an Olentangy Trot, which was held at Delaware.

I've the following at the end of an obit:
"Memorial contributions may be made to the Hospice at Riverside, 3535 Olentangy River Road, Columbus OH 43214. "

No idea if the name you've provided is the same reference, however it is assuredly POSSIBLE, perhaps even probable:

http://www.clintonville.com/history/h_olenpk.html
http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Atlantis/7819/olentangy.html

This link doesn't offer what "driving park" is being referred to, however I'm inclined to believe it was the former Columbus Driving Park:
http://www.colscompact.com/pdf/neighprofiles.pdf

[JustRalph]

Ralph,
In "at least 47-49 (perphaps longer) there was an Olentangy Trot, which was held at Delaware.

I've the following at the end of an obit:
"Memorial contributions may be made to the Hospice at Riverside, 3535 Olentangy River Road, Columbus OH 43214. "

No idea if the name you've provided is the same reference, however it is assuredly POSSIBLE, perhaps even probable:

http://www.clintonville.com/history/h_olenpk.html
http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Atlantis/7819/olentangy.html

This link doesn't offer what "driving park" is being referred to, however I'm inclined to believe it was the former Columbus Driving Park:
http://www.colscompact.com/pdf/neighprofiles.pdf

:ThmbUp: :ThmbUp:

[JustRalph]

I'm going to be there from roughly the 22nd through the 26th - which is about as bad a week as you can get. Live racing is done, and Beulah is still closed. The only silver lining is that Scioto has simulcasting until Beulah opens up.

Is there an OTB downtown? A dog track? (Yep, I'm that desperate.) ANYTHING?

I had no idea that the USTA was there. I may look into that. The problem is that I'm going to be busy during working hours.

I may look into renting a car.

Any idea on what LIVE tracks are the closest to Columbus? I'm assuming they will be too far away for an evening drive. Lebanon Raceway is only Friday and Saturday - so that's a no-go.

Thistledowns is 2.5 hours north, too far to go if you want to be back in Columbus the next morn. They are running during the day, post time 1:05p (http://www.thistledown.com/) Lebanon is 1.5 hours or so south. Otherwise, ????

Why don't you tell us a little more about your interests and maybe we can suggest something..........I assume this is after work kind of stuff? You in town for a seminar or training etc?

[Versajoe]

I'm in town attending a conference. I won't know anybody there, and frankly, I'm not terribly interested in meeting anyone. (You'd agree with me if you knew what field I was in.)

I'm just looking for something casual to do in the evening. I'd like to go to the track, but I'm a low-stakes bettor, so I doubt the cab fare will be worth it. I checked the bus, and they don't run there. The closest they go is a mall just north of 270.

I might just deposit some money in my ADW account and hang out at the hotel. This wouldn't be the end of the world since family obligations prevent me from doing this at home.

Still... I'd love to do something that I could do on my own and not feel terribly embarrassed. The horse track, the dog track, a casino, etc. It doesn't have to be gambling, but something like that where I can blend in.

And yes... this would all be in the evening after my conference lets out.

[JustRalph]

The closest they go is a mall just north of 270.

You don't want to be alone in that part of town anyway. Skip that mall. I am not kidding.

You might check out this link (http://columbusoh.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=columbusoh&cdn=citiestowns&tm=27&gps=297_280_1668_784&f=10&su=p529.6.336.ip_&tt=2&bt=0&bts=1&zu=http%3A//www.arena-district.com/)

The Arena District might be your only refuge without traveling very far. Good eats etc.

I checked several calendars and you are in town during a very slow week.

[Versajoe]

You don't want to be alone in that part of town anyway. Skip that mall. I am not kidding.Call me naive, but I didn't realize that Columbus had a bad part of town.

That's what I get for living in the sticks.

[JustRalph]

Call me naive, but I didn't realize that Columbus had a bad part of town.

That's what I get for living in the sticks.

check it out here

http://www.crimereports.com/map?search=Columbus+OH


try 14 days, all crimes........... It might surprise you

[Versajoe]

It looks like all of the downtown are booked at my corporate rate. The good news is that I can stay a few miles outside of town, and my company will pick up the taxi fare.

So I have two choices:
1) Stay near Scioto Downs and attend simulcasting. Taxi fare from downtown to the Downs is now covered! I'd just have to take a taxi back to the hotel, which shouldn't be much if I stay close.
2) Stay somewhere else. As much as I like horse racing, simulcasting only aint so exciting. If there is a hotel near a mall or movie theater, I'd consider that. I live 1.5 hours from the nearest (small) mall, so a mall is actually something I don't get to see too often - and I figured I could wander aimlessly and kill some time in the evening.

What do folks think?

[JustRalph]

It looks like all of the downtown are booked at my corporate rate. The good news is that I can stay a few miles outside of town, and my company will pick up the taxi fare.

So I have two choices:
1) Stay near Scioto Downs and attend simulcasting. Taxi fare from downtown to the Downs is now covered! I'd just have to take a taxi back to the hotel, which shouldn't be much if I stay close.
2) Stay somewhere else. As much as I like horse racing, simulcasting only aint so exciting. If there is a hotel near a mall or movie theater, I'd consider that. I live 1.5 hours from the nearest (small) mall, so a mall is actually something I don't get to see too often - and I figured I could wander aimlessly and kill some time in the evening.

What do folks think?

1-there is no place to stay near Scioto Downs. Not kidding. No Hotels etc.

2-The Hiatt in downtown Columbus is nice........near the arena district. Get our your expense account though. You will pay.........