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Ohio Tracks Surviving Despite Competition

OHIO—As reported by the Cincinnati Post: "Despite the waves of gambling money that has flowed to Southeast Indiana riverboat casinos since 1996, both horse racing tracks in the region are surviving, if not exactly prospering.

"River Downs wrapped up its live racing season on Labor Day with its signature Cradle Stakes. As the Cincinnati track's season ends, across the river at Turfway Park, workers and jockeys gear up for their return to live action.

"…River Downs concluded its 2004 summer racing meet with its on-track betting virtually flat with last year and a 2 percent increase in total wagering. Both River Downs and Turfway stopped charging for general admission and parking a few years ago, and precise attendance figures are no longer available. Track spokesman John Engelhardt said that despite the dip in wagering, concession sales and estimated attendance were up.

"…On Wednesday, Turfway Park opened its month-long fall meet, which includes its big Kentucky Cup series of stakes races on Sept. 18. The track has been having a better year so far in 2004, following a tough 2003 that saw a 10 percent decline in on-track betting and a 5 percent drop in total wagering.

"…But the wagering at River Downs and Turfway together is dwarfed by the mountains of money bet at nearby Argosy, Grand Victoria and Belterra riverboat casinos in Southeast Indiana. The total amount wagered at the three casinos in 2003 was a staggering $9.3 billion. By comparison, the total amount wagered at Turfway that year was $351 million…"

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