- Home
- DRF Bets
- Handicapping & PPsHorsemen's ProductsReports
- The Wizard
- DRF Gameplan
- Quick Sheets
- DRF Picks
- Today's Racing Digest
- Key Race Report
- Positive ROI Report
- Moss Pace Figure Reports
- Debut Reports
- BreezeFigs
Access past performances- DRF EasyForm PPs
- DRF Classic PDF PPs
- DRF Formulator PPs
- DRF HarnessEye PPs
- DRF Daily Harness Program PPs
Racing and Wagering InformationToolsHorse Racing Links- Race Tracks
- Casinos
- Account Wagering
- Breeding
- Racing and Charitable
- Contests/Games
- Regional/Free
- Radio Shows
Get the most out of
DRF's online PPs with
Learn more. - Entries
- Results
- NewsCategoriesTrack ReportsTriple Crown Special Events
Exclusive content available only with a DRF Plus Plan. See Plan Pricing. - Blogs
- Video
- Learn
- StorePast Performances
- Belmont Stakes Store
- Compare all DRF PPs
- DRF Formulator PPs
- DRF Classic PPs
- DRF EasyForm PPs
- See all Pricing/Plans
REPORTS PICKS Harness PPs - Events
- Sports Odds
Email
Scioto Downs, a Columbus, Ohio, harness track owned by MTR Gaming, was granted a temporary slot-machine license on Wednesday by the Ohio Lottery and plans to open a casino by June.
The license was awarded after Scioto submitted a $10 million licensing fee to the lottery, which was given the authority to grant casino licenses to seven state racetracks by an executive order issued by Gov. Ted Strickland last year. Opponents of gambling have filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the order.
Because of the uncertainty surrounding the executive order, Scioto is the only track in Ohio that has sought a casino license. The facility, under construction since December, will house 2,125 slot machines, Scioto officials have said. Before the casino can open, Scioto will need to submit an additional licensing fee of $15 million. Another $25 million will be due one year after the casino opens.
If Strickland’s order survives the court challenge, Scioto’s casino could be the first of as many as 11 casinos planned for the state. Voters in Ohio approved a referendum in 2009 that granted two companies, including Penn National Gaming Inc., the rights to open four free-standing casinos in the state’s four largest cities. Those casinos are currently under construction.
Penn National also owns a Columbus-area Thoroughbred track, Beulah Park. The company is seeking approval to move the track from Columbus to Dayton so that it will not compete with the casino it is building in Columbus.
Best Bets
WILCOX went five-wide on the first turn en route to a nine-length loss when he debuted around two turns on the Polytrack. The son of the highly successful Giant's Causeway is a half-brother to the stakes-placed turf expert Woodbourne. He should make some noise for an accomplished second-out trainer, who's enlisted a hot Stein for the mount. ATTENDANT was a minor player on the grass at the Fair Grounds, before trailing in a small field in the Wando Stakes here on the Poly. AIR BLADE regressed off his big comeback race most recently.
