Slots at River Downs

[cosmo96]

Does anyone know if River Downs will get slot machines? The management really pushed for them. They said they had to have them. Scioto Downs has them. I heard Thistle will soon get them. It must be a big secret, everytime I e-mail RD about this, I never get a reply. However, on all other e-mails I get an answer within twenty-four hours. Now that it's legal in Ohio RD will not comment.

[rastajenk]

The answer is yes, they will get slots. Another question is when.

There are about as many rumors about next year's schedule as there are people spreading them. The loss of Turfway's September dates enabled RD to float the notion of a late summer-into-fall meet, which would give them more time to make changes. Number of days is also being negotiated.

But the word getting some traction this week is for RD to run their dates next year at Beulah while work on a new plant is being done. The only thing that seems pretty well established is that next year's RD schedule will be nothing like what it's been in the past.

[CincyHorseplayer]

The answer is yes, they will get slots. Another question is when.

There are about as many rumors about next year's schedule as there are people spreading them. The loss of Turfway's September dates enabled RD to float the notion of a late summer-into-fall meet, which would give them more time to make changes. Number of days is also being negotiated.

But the word getting some traction this week is for RD to run their dates next year at Beulah while work on a new plant is being done. The only thing that seems pretty well established is that next year's RD schedule will be nothing like what it's been in the past.

Lee are you saying River isn't going to run next year?

You are directly in the situation,I've been curious to know what their outlook is on racing itself?They've got a beautiful track and awesome turf course,they really could monopolize this state if they had the ambition.I'm biased because this is my hometown track,but I don't think I'm wrong.In the hands of smart people River Downs could be a lot more bigtime than it is.The track itself.The things around it.The time of their race dates.River Downs could be great.If they wanted to.

[rastajenk]

I agree with all that. And when this corp bought the place, I believed they shared your vision of great things that could happen in that area. It may yet come to pass, but it won't be next year. There may be some other aspects of changes to come that are even more deflating than that. So I'm moving my optimism to a back burner and will wait it out like all the horsemen and grooms and employees and everyone else. And wait some more...and more... and more...

[CincyHorseplayer]

I agree with all that. And when this corp bought the place, I believed they shared your vision of great things that could happen in that area. It may yet come to pass, but it won't be next year. There may be some other aspects of changes to come that are even more deflating than that. So I'm moving my optimism to a back burner and will wait it out like all the horsemen and grooms and employees and everyone else. And wait some more...and more... and more...

It is what it is.I look forward to hanging out with you next summer just the same bro.River Downs and Sunlite Pool,it doesn't get any better in the Nati come Memorial Day!

[cosmo96]

Cincy Players first post said it all for me. I love River Downs. It is where I got my start. My parents took me there as a child. I learned how to handicap and pick horses, then my parents would make my bets. River Downs has a tremendous amount of potential. During the season I'm there every weekend, but it's hard to bet River with five and six horses a race. River Downs is part of the Cincinnati culture. All things considered the attendance is good, and there is a lot of enthusiasm. Too bad management is not responding to the racing fans of southern Ohio and northern Kentucky.

[CincyHorseplayer]

Revisiting this thread.Just want to say Cosmo and Rastajenk,come next summer let's hang on opening day and more throughout.The passion is obvious.I was not as much a fixture as much as I wanted to be last summer because of burnout and have taken measures to ensure that doesn't happen.I will be at River no short of 2-3 days a week.Have to warn you though,I'll wear you out with paddock trips every race and post parade inspections!Let's do it.PM me.

[rastajenk]

The River-at-Beulah idea seems to have lost some momentum this week, after appearing nearly certain last week. There is a commission meeting this morning at which, I hope, River's dates will be set, finally (as well as some other relocation issues). The not knowing is wearing on a lot of people at various levels of the local racing hierarchy. :confused:

[CincyHorseplayer]

The River-at-Beulah idea seems to have lost some momentum this week, after appearing nearly certain last week. There is a commission meeting this morning at which, I hope, River's dates will be set, finally (as well as some other relocation issues). The not knowing is wearing on a lot of people at various levels of the local racing hierarchy. :confused:

Wow.I wasn't quite connecting all the dots on what you were saying.What are their ideas for on site itself?Are they contemplating tearing down the grandstand and rebuilding or?

Beulah by that time will be gone.Their anticipating starting the fall meet at the new site in 2013.The old site will be getting redeveloped I'm sure.

I certainly don't want to lose a season at my hometrack but if all the horses in Ohio were at one place this summer,the only one left,Thistledown,they might f**k up and have a good meet!Seriously,with the lack of flesh for cards,to run 2 separate cards of 6 horse fields in the same state is stupid.

I would like to see Turway die off and for River to go Derby weekend til October.Then Beulah run to the spring.Thistle can join Turfway too.Ohio definitely has some issues.These slot purses are going to be a flash in the pan too in this conservative state.That money is getting annexed the second they see the paperwork on the first year.This whole region needs contraction once everybody gets their slots and then the money gets taken away.

[BMustang]

River Downs is certainly dragging its feet when it comes to moving forward with the demolition of the grandstand, repositioning of the track and re-building with new facilities and installing slots.

I think there is good reason for this. The bankruptcy of Indiana Downs, the consolidation of 1st/2nd floors at Hollywood Casino and the layoff of 150 workers, along with the anticipated opening of the downtown casino, makes for a VERY HIGH RISK River Downs venture. My guess is that the present owners who overpaid at 42mil are late to the dance and looking to cut their losses and trying to find a buyer.

Racing is the necessary evil associated with building/owning a casino at a racetrack site. Racing is a drain on their resources. I do believe that Kevin and the folks are RD are trying to give the horseman a fair shake, but all of the while realize that the grand and glorious plan for a resort casino and racetrack is no longer feasible. I expect RIver Downs to either be sold, OR the existing facility remain intact with slot machines and slot parlors incorporated into the present dynamic.

[CincyHorseplayer]

River Downs is certainly dragging its feet when it comes to moving forward with the demolition of the grandstand, repositioning of the track and re-building with new facilities and installing slots.

I think there is good reason for this. The bankruptcy of Indiana Downs, the consolidation of 1st/2nd floors at Hollywood Casino and the layoff of 150 workers, along with the anticipated opening of the downtown casino, makes for a VERY HIGH RISK River Downs venture. My guess is that the present owners who overpaid at 42mil are late to the dance and looking to cut their losses and trying to find a buyer.

Racing is the necessary evil associated with building/owning a casino at a racetrack site. Racing is a drain on their resources. I do believe that Kevin and the folks are RD are trying to give the horseman a fair shake, but all of the while realize that the grand and glorious plan for a resort casino and racetrack is no longer feasible. I expect RIver Downs to either be sold, OR the existing facility remain intact with slot machines and slot parlors incorporated into the present dynamic.

Don't you just love the upgrades though?I mean those Belterra signs they put up in the paddock area really reeled me in with glee.And how bout they had a bartender on the 2nd floor of the grandstand til the Triple Crown was over?That really sealed the deal for me.

They brought in the Bud Light girls for 2 days a week and I got half a wood on my way to the paddock.Those people didn't do $hit for that place.Out of all the tracks in the state River Downs has the biggest potential.All it needs is foresight.Having a foreskin only doesn't qualify.

[grant miller]

boy oh boy , slots helped finger lakes and batavia downs!!!! your guessing on the high side if 200 people are wathing on track at F.L -50 or so at a batavia herness night! BUT SLOTS ARE GONNA SAVE N.Y.:D :D :D GOOD LUCK OHIO!

[CincyHorseplayer]

Rastajenk,

You have any idea of the details behind the scenes after today's meeting?

[rastajenk]

Amazingly, no. Negotiations on details concerning the River-at-Beulah plan continue. It might be January before every thing is settled.

[CincyHorseplayer]

Amazingly, no. Negotiations on details concerning the River-at-Beulah plan continue. It might be January before every thing is settled.

Is it about a 99% certainty that no live racing will be at River next year,even at later dates?

I want to get the heartbreak out of the way!That will totally stink.

[rastajenk]

Yes, at this time, I think that's a pretty accurate assesment.

[CincyHorseplayer]

Man will that be weird for me.Never been without racing during the summer.Plus that 1-2 punch of RD-Coney is like the Beach Boys greatest hits!I guess I'll have to make some road trips.I've only been to Indiana Downs one time,Beulah never and I used to love that place.Hopefully it's all for the better in 2014.

Lee do you know what they plan on doing as far as the racetrack restoration and overall racing improvements?

[FrankieFigs]

Well, it's started.....

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/75516/pinnacle-begins-demolition-of-river-downs

Glad I got there a couple of years ago. Nice little place to hang out.

[BMustang]

Goodbye Old Friend!!!

[CincyHorseplayer]

I wish I would have taken more pictures this summer.I don't understand why they want to put everything on top of Riverbend.That place is going to be a mess.They best be putting in another turf course if they are moving the entire track itself.If so,and I can give them some help with writing the condition book for the turf,I'll be a happy man.They clearly didn't utilize that very well,for such a beautiful turf course.Any imput on a new or no turf course Lee?

[pele polo]

I sure hope that remodel with an open-air grandstand, not enough out there.

By the way, looking on Google Maps, I don't understand how or where they plan on moving the track?

[CincyHorseplayer]

http://www.wlwt.com/image/view/-/17998594/medRes/1/-/maxh/358/maxw/538/-/t437e5z/-/River-Downs-plans--1--jpg.jpg


I missed this article.Place looks pretty nice.Does anybody know if they plan on putting in a turf course?