Ohio horsemen, tracks agree on 2012 dates

GROVE CITY, Ohio – The Ohio Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association has signed an agreement with all three of Ohio’s Thoroughbred tracks for racing dates for 2012.

River Downs will run 93 days, beginning April 27 and run through Labor Day, Sept. 3.

“That is basically what was approved for last year, although we lost some days due to the flooding” said Dave Basler, executive director of the Ohio horsemen’s association. Heavy rain in the spring caused the nearby Ohio River to overflow, disrupting the meet,

River Downs will run five days a week with Monday and Tuesday as the dark days.

Beulah Park will run 114 days, split into two meets. The winter/spring meet will begin Jan. 9 and run through Kentucky Derby Day, May 5. The fall/ winter meet will begin Oct. 8 and end Dec. 22, with live racing four days a week in the fall.

Thistledown will run 122 days, beginning May 4 and ending Nov. 17. That schedule begins two weeks later than in 2011 and the meet will end two weeks later.