Meet opens with focus on higher-quality races

New management pumped $70 million into Thistledown Racino prior to the opening of the 2016 live racing season. Although none of that money is earmarked for purses or additional stakes, there’s reason for optimism that the racing product is on the rise.

Thistledown launches its 100-day live meet on Monday. Overnight purses will average $130,000 daily – the highest among Ohio’s three Thoroughbred tracks – and racing secretary Patrick Ellsworth said the goal is to offer more medium-range claiming and allowance races.

“Last year, 60 percent of our races were lower-level claiming races,” Ellsworth said. “We would like to have a more balanced racing program and run more quality races.”

Ellsworth said he will strive to fill at least nine races on weekend days and perhaps as many as 11 races, with multiple allowance events on some programs.

With only about 500 horses on the grounds – a number Ellsworth expects to double by Kentucky Derby Day with an influx from Oaklawn Park, Mahoning Valley, and Tampa Bay Downs – there are eight races and 63 horses in total for Monday’s opener. Seven of the races are for $4,000 or $5,000 claimers. The only non-claimer is a full field of 12 Ohio-bred maiden fillies and mares.

One newcomer who could make an impact this season is trainer Kim Puhl, who is bringing about 20 horses north from Oaklawn.

Thistledown will offer 15 stakes for Ohio-breds, all with purses of $75,000. The jewel of the meet, the Ohio Derby, will carry a $500,000 purse for the second straight year. The race, contested at 1 1/16 miles since 2010, will return to its roots at 1 1/8 miles for its 82nd running on June 25.

The most noticeable change on the track since last year is the removal of the old tote board, replaced by a 20-by-50-foot high-definition video board that will feature live real-time races, simulcast racing, and digital results.

Jack Entertainment is the new management company for the property in suburban Cleveland. The $70 million in new amenities includes a 1,000-space, multilevel parking garage that opens directly onto the property’s gaming floor, new restaurants, and more than 200 new slot machines.

Millcreek Grille serves steaks and seafood and overlooks the racetrack from a floor-to-ceiling glass wall. Nonna Pazza is a quick-serve pasta bar. Guests at Cleo’s sports bar can play 13 varieties of bar-top keno while watching sports action on eight 80-inch TV screens surrounding a center bar.

The track has also partnered with United Tote to offer Fast Bet Mobile. This smartphone app allows horseplayers to place bets anytime from anywhere in the racino.