Beulah, River Downs get fewer dates in '09

Beulah Park and River Downs, both at odds with the Ohio Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association over the division of account-wagering revenue, were awarded the abbreviated slates of 2009 racing dates they requested by the Ohio Racing Commission on Friday.

River Downs, which has not requested Thoroughbred dates for 2009, was granted the 14 Quarter Horse dates it asked for next year.

Beulah Park, which did not apply for its traditional spring meet, was granted a 60-day Thoroughbred meet in the fall from Oct. 2 to Dec. 23, 2009. Beulah was granted 28 Quarter Horse dates in the spring, from April 1 to May 3.

Without an agreement with horsemen, the Ohio tracks cannot send their signal to account-wagering sites. The tracks have said they cannot afford to host their typical live Thoroughbred meets without the revenue generated by account wagering.

The tracks are of the opinion that by holding Quarter Horse meets they will have satisfied the requirements needed to conduct simulcast wagering at their facilities.

The Ohio racing commission is scheduled to meet again Dec. 21, and the 2009 dates could be set then if the horsemen and tracks are able to resolve their differences.