Harness: Profile of Scioto Director of Racing Jason Roth

Jason Roth has a long family history in harness racing dating back to his grandfather Richard, who was a starter. The 40-year-old from Michigan now lives in Ohio and is part of the team at Scioto Downs.

After putting together a 16-race card, Jason took some time from his schedule to chat about his path in the sport, family life, the current and future of Scioto Downs, as well as racing in general.

How did you get started in harness racing?

I grew up in it -- my dad's a trainer and my grandfather was a starter, so I'm a third-generation horseman. I've always been in the business.

You have 27 career drives and three wins, mostly at fair tracks. Do you miss that aspect of the sport?

No. I think I chose the right aspect of it. I wanted to be a trainer. I was leaving for college at Central Michigan and I told my dad I wasn't going to go and instead I would stay home and train horses. He told me no and to go to college. I could do the horses at any time but to get the education was the right choice.

You started at Scioto Downs in 2005. How did that come about?

I was graduating college and I had to find an internship. I called Jason Zielinski who was the marketing director at Scioto at the time and he gave me an internship. Basically all I did was hang numbers in the press box, I ran a video to the local news which showed a clip of our races, entries and results for the newspapers. That's how it started and I ended up never leaving.

You climbed the ladder pretty nicely, right?

I started working in the race office after that and shortly after I moved to the assistant racing secretary role behind Stacy Cahill.

How long have you been Director of Racing at Scioto?

Three years.

What kind of car do you drive?

Chevy Silverado or a Dodge Journey depending on what gas prices are like that week.

Favorite dinner meal? Snack?

Tacos; Chips.

Outside of Scioto, what is your favorite track to visit? Why?

Probably the Delaware County Fair and the Little Brown Jug just because of the atmosphere during that entire meet.

How often are horses or racing on your mind?

Unfortunately 90% of the time. I guess the track is on my mind 90% of the time. My entire family, Jess (fiancé Jessica Schroeder) is involved, my dad is involved, my kids love going to the track. Our lives pretty much revolve around the track and horses.

You mentioned Jessica Schroeder, another harness racing lifer who you've been engaged to for a decade. Are the two of you anti-marriage?

We are not anti-marriage. We are: things are good the way they are [laughing]. Nothing is going to change by a piece of paper. We have two great little boys and a nice house with 42 acres. That piece of paper won't change anything.

Does it make it easier being with someone who "gets" harness racing?

Yeah. My schedule is insane in the summers. She takes the brunt of it. Those 12 to 14-hour days, she takes care of the kids, the horses at our house, the dog. She knows the schedule and what my job entails; it's not easy.

You mentioned that Jessica takes care of the horses and that you have 42 acres. Do you own a lot of horses?

We have Starry Night Star, he's just a nice, old retired racehorse that my kids love to play with. And he's a babysitter as there are some guys who like to turn their horses out here for an extended amount of time, either in the fall after they are done racing or if they get hurt. Jess is very good with rehabbing horses and making sure they get the proper care. That is her side-thing to take care of those horses.

What is your favorite sport to watch? Team?

College Football -- Michigan.

Is it hard for a Michigan native who went to Central Michigan to live and work in Buckeye country in Ohio?

It wasn't this year. It had been rough the last 10 years but it was great getting the win this year.

What is one thing about you most fans/bettors don't know?

I played intramural rugby at Central Michigan.

What is one word that describes harness racing for you?

Passion.

What was your best moment in harness racing?

I take pride in putting together good races and when you get one like the Always B Miki/Wiggle It Jiggleit race [2016 Ewart Memorial at Scioto], I've watched it numerous times and it is still one of my favorite races. Watching them head-to-head all the way down the backside and in the stretch. Just getting a feeling of pride after a great race is the best for me.

Scioto had a big year in 2020 as the first track to re-open during the pandemic. How happy have you been with handle, etc. since?

It is still kind of growing. It is never going to be the 2020 pandemic era. It is definitely better than pre-pandemic. We are trying little things like the Pick 8 wager [$25,000 guaranteed pool] and seeing if that can catch on. We are in a bad spot this year with our 3:15 post time; not much we can do about it. Since we still get a good live attendance, I'm hoping we can come back in 2023 with the new grandstand and have a solid performance.

You host a number of stakes at Scioto during the year. Which is your favorite?

The Jim Ewart Memorial by far. Just having those Grand Circuit horses. The last three years have been great races. McWicked came from sixth or seventh at the top of the stretch and all of the horses were within two lengths at the finish line.

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Right now Scioto is in the midst of building a new grandstand. What is the target date for completion and how excited are you about the new facility?

The target date is May of next year. There are endless possibilities of what we can do with the new building. We've never had something new. The facility is 63 years old. We plan on renovating the clubhouse to match the new grandstand and put umbrellas on the patio.

Will the new building offer any special amenities?

We will be able to host parties on the VIP floor, which is basically the same floor that the Judges and announcer are on. They will have their own self service machines, bartender, tables, big screen TVs. On the grandstand level there will be box seats, I know a lot of owners like to have their own seat and space, so that's another amenity. We'll be able to bring back concerts, so that's always a possibility. Just having a new building where people can sit and watch the races will be nice.

Scioto is under the Caesars umbrella and often enough big casino companies are negatively looked upon by those in the industry. What has it been like from your perspective at Caesars?

Caesars has been great as far as Scioto Downs has been concerned, adding Joe Morris and Gabe [Prewitt]. Basically we've never spent more money in the time I've been at Scioto since Caesars has taken over ownership. We probably put $600,000 into the backstretch last year and this year we are continuing to upgrade equipment. We have a new starting gate on order being built. We are definitely spending the money on the racing side. I know it is hard to see from the fan's perspective but they are letting us spend the money to upgrade the facility and try and make this product successful.

You were named as a USTA Director a couple of years back. How has that experience been?

Interesting. There are a lot of things in our sport that you would like to see changed and it just takes a little while for it to take hold.

If you had the power to change one thing in the sport, what would it be?

Better post time management. Everyone complains about the drags. They do serve a purpose. We are trying to stay off other tracks and trying to get eyes pointed towards us but sometimes you just can't help it. If more tracks would work together and stay off each other that would go a long way for the wagering dollar.

How do you view the future of harness racing?

In Ohio, great. We have a great program, our stakes and overnight programs are both healthy and strong. We have people in our legislature and government who are very agricultural friendly.

When you think about Ohio, you think about all of the fairs. That has to help racing's case to stay strong in the state, no?

It does. The fairs are great but one of our big things is horse population. It does hurt the racetracks with the fairs taking horses away but it also gives an owners a place to race a horse that is not making money at the main racetracks. It goes both ways. The fairs are great but it also hurts some in terms of horse population.

Time for the stretch drive.

Best Horse you ever saw: Foiled Again, but Wiggle It Jiggleit and Always B Miki are up there.

Best Driver Ever: John Campbell.

Best Trainer Ever: Ron Burke. What he does with 300-head and knowing where they all fit in classes is amazing. He's the one guy who always enters a horse where they fit. He never enters them hoping you'll open up the class.

Lasix -- Yes or No?: Yes.

Favorite TV Show?: I don't watch much TV...maybe Michigan football games.

Trotters or Pacers?: Pacers.