Horse Racing Tracks and Venues in Ohio

Horse racing tracks in Ohio offer some of the hottest racing action in the United States. Racing fans come from all over the country to the many race tracks. They can make a wager and see their favorite cross the finish line to victory. In 2012, race tracks started adding gaming machines. So while not enjoying the racing fun, fans can take a chance of the many slots offered.

Plan an entire trip centered on the racing tracks located around Ohio. With plenty to offer, the entire trip that you plan can center on each of the race track venues.

Those from near and far come out to see the races happen. With a lot happening at each one of them, you can plan your stay around the events. If the race track doesn’t provide a resort or hotel right on the track you can find a nearby hotel. They work with the race tracks to provide visitors with everything they need during the stay.

1. JACK ThistleDown Racino

Founded in 1924 Jack ThistleDown Racino is outside of Cleveland in North Randell. Over the years, they’ve been host to many outstanding races. JACK Entertainment known as Rock Gaming, is now the owner of this property. In 2016, Rock Gaming announced they would be re branding casinos and changing their name.

JACK ThistleDown is home to the Ohio Derby as well as Best of Ohio series. They offer an amazing venue with their race track. Their thoroughbred racing season lasts through the months of May until October. Live racing takes place on a one-mile oval dirt track. It’s located on their twenty eight acre property. JACK ThistleDown offers races with handicaps and minor stakes. Post time is 1:40 PM with free admission and parking. Besides live racing action, fans can bet on simulcast races.

Extensive seating is available for in their grandstand. Excitement doesn’t have to end at the race track. They have 1,550 gaming machines available. So visitors can keep their betting action going while away from the racing tracks.

While here, visitors can enjoy a bite to eat at one of six restaurants. Steaks, burgers, pizza, and ribs among the many different food options offered. Also, JACK ThistleDown features two bars to quench every thirst.

JACK ThistleDown is open round the clock, ready to provide a good time for tourist and locals.

2. Belterra Park Gaming & Entertainment Center

Located in Cincinnati, the Belterra Park Gaming & Entertainment Center is accessible to the tri state area. It used to be called River Downs and is a Pinnacle Entertainment facility.

Belterra Park is the region’s best horse racing facility. They feature over ninety race days and great stakes. This track holds a special atmosphere and has always stayed up to changing times. Races run every Thursday to Sunday from April until October. Visitors can get an up close look at the Thoroughbreds with the open air paddock. Post time for races is at 1:20 PM.

Fans can catch the excitement of simulcast racing during the down time of live races. With more than 35 giant television screens they’re able to join in the action on races across the US. They offer seven teller stations and sixteen self service betting station. Belterra Park also features private carousels. They have up to two televisions and comfortable seating for veteran horse fans.

This is Ohio’s only turf racetrack. Visitors can also stop in for some gaming machine enjoyment. Whatever game interests they may have, they’re bound to find it at Belterra Park. They feature more than 1,300 games to choose from. This includes Walking Dead 2, Game of Thrones, and Crazy Money Deluxe. The slot machines are video lottery terminals but it’s hard to tell them from other slots. Visitors can bet a penny or go all the way up to $100 for a higher payout.

If your hunger strikes, Belterra Park has six amazing restaurants. You can enjoy many mouth watering delights. Pizza, steak, seafood, and gourmet burgers are some of the tantalizing dishes available. Also, visitors can stop off at the bar after their gaming time for a drink. They feature live music on weekends.

Belterra Park is open seven days a week around the clock. This ensures tourists and locals a good time no matter what.

3. Northfield Park

Northfield Park is one of the greatest facilities featuring live harness racing. It’s located in Northfield, Ohio. And it’s currently northern Ohio’s only remaining commercial harness track. It’s owned by Brock Milstein. They have been adding to race action excitement for more than fifty years. They’re only a close drive from downtown Cleveland.

Northfield offers a distinction from other racing tracks. They provide live racing year round. The track is a half mile and features at least one weekly live race. They run at least 200 race nights per year. Tourists and locals alike come to Northfield to enjoy live action racing. Post times are at 7:00 PM eastern time.

When taking a break from live racing visitors can join in other activities. Simulcast racing runs every day of the year, minus Christmas where they remain closed. Times for starting vary so you should check them before coming. Thirty minutes before the first post time television signals are available. Program stands, self service wagering, and concession stand are also available. Also, mutual tellers are available fifteen minutes before the first post.

Visitors are able to have casino excitement as well. They’re open twenty four hours a day. The casino features 2,200 video lottery terminals (VLT) for both keno and slot play in 200,000 square feet of casino.
Northfield features a state of art sports bar, the Trackside Lounge, and Patio. With three dozen televisions visitors can sit in comfort for all simulcast races. These usually end at midnight but can go until two in the morning on weekends. Visitors can also make a wager in a private viewing room.

Lady Luck offers fine dining for visitors who enjoy a meal out. Serving steak, seafood, and much more, they also offer a weekly buffet menu.

No matter what time, visitors are sure to find pleasure.

4. Scioto Downs Racino

Scioto Downs is Ohio’s first racetrack to add gaming making them the first racino in the state. They provide harness racing to fans from all around the country in Columbus. It’s a distinguished track where horse racing has taken place for over forty years. Under authority of the Ohio Lottery Commission, they’re operated by MTR Gaming Group.

Racing fans come to take part in racing action at Scioto Downs 5/8 mile race track. The racing surface is almost perfect allowing impressive speed for racers. From May until September each year, they host live harness racing. Available daily all year round, simulcast betting is also allowed.

Some of the most respected stake events happen at Scioto Downs for trotter and pacers alike. Some of these include Charlie Hill Pace, Ervin Samples Pace, Capitol City Pace, and Heart of Ohio Trot. Grandstand capacity of 10,000 and clubhouse with 2,400 are sometimes met during these events. Post time is Tuesday through Saturday at 6:30 PM. Enjoy simulcast starting at 11:00 AM until midnight daily.

Off hours for the race track doesn’t mean the excitement ended for the day. They are hosts to the Summer Concert Series where many top names come to perform.

In the year 2012, Scioto Downs opened Video Lottery Terminals (VLT). They have more than 2,100 VLT in a space of 117,000 square feet. The casino has the same popular name games as a fan sees in Atlantic City or Las Vegas. The outside of a VLT is the same as slots. Rather than going through an on board number generator, they use lottery servers. This allows for the elimination of oversights and human error.

Scioto Downs is a great place to eat or have a drink at one of their many restaurants or bars. The Budweiser Patio allows fans to get up close to the race track while dining and making a wager. For fans of simulcasting, the Penthouse is sure to please. This is where fans can see races from all over the country and make wagers while snacking on a sandwich.

If fine dining is what’s desired, they cover that as well. Stop into the Clubhouse for a bite to eat while viewing the race track. Some fans prefer a buffet style mean, and at the Grove Buffet, they’re provided with many choices. For fans looking for a drink and a quick bite, stop at Dash Café and get back to the track.

For the many fans from out of town, Racino Downs can help make their trip exciting. Contact them to get help with accommodations as well.

Scioto Downs Racino is open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Racing fans enjoy video slots, reel slots, or video keno and time of day or night. Valet parking is available.

5. Miami Valley Gaming

Miami Valley Gaming is a half mile race track located a short drive from Cincinnati and Dayton. It’s in Lebanon, Ohio. It Lebanon Raceway, and Miami Valley opened in the year 2013. It opened in late December and made sure to bring all the racing action with them.

Miami Valley is host to harness racing action with seating available for up to 1,000 people outside. You can also find available seating inside as well. Grandstand size is 14,600 square feet. This ensures plenty of room for racing fans from across the country. They are home to some famous races. These include Miami Valley Distaff Trot and the Chip Noble Memorial Pace. They also host Ohio State Stakes for fillies and colts and James J. Hackett Memorial for fillies and colts.

Live racing action happens from Wednesday through Sunday every week at 6:30 PM. During off times, the race track also serves as entertainment and banquet space. To bring horse race action closer, call to reserve track side tables.

Miami Valley provides simulcasting daily starting at 11 AM until Midnight. Race fans can make their wagers and see their favorite horse passes the finish line all year. You can use their simulcasting from all over the United States.

While taking a break from racing, visitors can gamble on 1700 gaming machines. These gaming machines are VLT but look and act like slot machines. They have all the most popular gaming titles. These include Wheel of Fortune Power Wedges, Jackpot Streams, and Lightning Links.

This facility is 180,000 square feet and holds all the latest amenities. Fans can enjoy a meal at one of their many restaurants serving both casual and fine dining. Or stop in for a drink at one of their two bars.

If fans are staying while visiting Miami Valley Gaming, they can stay at one of the many hotels nearby. They also welcome events up to 1,000 guests and chartered bus tours.
The casino is open 24/7 ensuring racing fans have something exciting to do at all times.

6. Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway

Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway is in Dayton, Ohio. This racino owned by Gaming and Leisure Properties is run by Penn National Gaming. Hollywood Gaming is one of two raceways in Ohio, with the other located in Mahoning Valley.

Hollywood Gaming provides some of the state’s best live harness racing. Fans stop in the Club House to enjoy the action of betting on their favorite horse. They can also see them pass over the finish line. Live racing action happens from September until the end of December with post time at 2:00 PM.

During off time from live racing, fans can enjoy the excitement of tracks across the country. Simulcast clubhouse and theater are available year-round. Opening time is at noon and runs until midnight seven days a week.

While taking a break from the excitement of racing, fans enjoy the 1,000 slot machines. These feature blockbuster jackpots and progressive jackpots. Progressive slots can award visitors of a jackpot worth more than $100,000. The casino floor is expansive at 190,000 square feet. Bets begin as low as one penny and go up to twenty-five dollars.

Hollywood Gaming ensures their visitors receive the best food in Ohio. Steak, shrimp, or a burger is some of the fine food they offer. The H Lounge also provides entertainment every Friday and Saturday.

The casino is open for visitors 24/7 providing excitement to tourists and locals.

Conclusion

The many horse racing tracks in Ohio provides racing action to fans from across the country. While in racing off time their many visitors can stop in the casino. While there, a bite to eat to please even the most stubborn hunger awaits.

Plan your visit to one of these Ohio tracks today and get more out of what is being provided. With all that’s out there, you can enjoy a vacation worth mentioning. The race tracks are full of wonder and excitement.