Ohio Horse Racing Commission tables vote on Beulah-at-River meet

The Ohio Horse Racing Commission on Wednesday tabled votes on the approval of a proposal to run the dates of River Downs at Beulah Park this year, the third time that the commission has put off the vote because of the lack of an agreement between Beulah’s owner and the state’s horsemen.

Penn National Gaming Inc., the owner of Beulah, and the Ohio Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association have both approved a plan to run 75 dates under the aegis of River Downs at the Columbus track, but the two parties are hung up on negotiations revolving around Penn’s plans for Beulah in 2014, according to officials. Under the River-at-Beulah plan, racing would start at Beulah on May 19.

By a picturesque bend of the Ohio River in Cincinnati, River Downs was torn down earlier this year by its owner, the casino operator Pinnacle Gaming, in order to make way for a new racetrack and casino at the property. The track is not expected to reopen until next year.

The commission also tabled a vote on approving Penn’s plan to relocate Beulah to a site near the border with Pennsylvania. The commission earlier this year passed a resolution requiring Penn to add seats to its plans for the relocated track, but Penn has pushed back against the effort. Last week, Penn said in a message to its shareholders that it would not proceed with plans to relocate the track if the Ohio commission insisted on the changes.

A spokesperson said the commission will next meet May 1 to try to resolve the issues.