Ohio racing returns Thursday at Thistledown, Belterra

Racing returns to Ohio on Thursday, as both Belterra Park in Cincinnati and Thistledown in North Randall open their delayed meets.

Racing in Ohio last took place March 18 at Mahoning Valley in Youngstown before the coronavirus pandemic paused, canceled, or delayed meets around the country. Both Belterra and Thistledown had been scheduled to open in April, with those meets joining the list of postponements. As states have gradually started to relax the restrictions aimed at curtailing the spread of the virus, the Ohio State Racing Commission formally approved a resolution May 14 clearing the way for the two tracks to begin racing.

The resolution includes guidelines for medical screening for those working at the track and numerous biosecurity restrictions that must be followed to conduct racing with a reduced chance of spreading the virus. For example, all those on the grounds must wear masks or other face coverings, except when mounted on a horse, and jockeys must pass a daily screening. Attendance will be limited to essential track personnel and horsemen. The resolution states that until spectators are allowed, owners will be prohibited from the grounds. The restrictions may be amended by the racing commission as the meets progress and as situations with the pandemic continue to evolve.

:: Want to get your Past Performances for free? Click to learn more.

Thistledown opens its meet Thursday with a card highlighted by the $75,000 Michael F. Rowland Memorial Handicap, a six-furlong sprint for Ohio-accredited 3-year-olds and up. The track will run mainly on a Monday-through-Thursday schedule, with some Saturday cards to highlight major stakes events.

Belterra is set to run on a Tuesday-through-Friday schedule. Both tracks are scheduled to run through October before Mahoning Valley takes over the Thoroughbred circuit. Mahoning Valley is scheduled to host the state’s annual Best of Ohio showcase program on Oct. 31.

Thistledown is set to host Ohio’s other major event, the Grade 3, $500,000 Ohio Derby, on June 27. That race has been won iby the likes of Hall of Famer Skip Away (1996), two-time Santa Anita Handicap winner Milwaukee Brew (2000), the popular Grade 1 winner Brass Hat (2004), and Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile winner Caleb’s Posse (2011). Last year, Preakness Stakes third-place finisher Owendale became the latest classics graduate to win the race, and he continued on to a productive campaign.

The Ohio Derby, which is run at 1 1/8 miles, has added importance this year as it was made part of the schedule of points races toward a spot in the starting gate for the Kentucky Derby, postponed to Sept. 5 due to the pandemic. Churchill Downs announced last week that the Ohio Derby will award Derby points to the top four finishers on a 20-8-4-2 scale. The Ohio Derby undercard will be anchored with a stakes opportunity for Ohio-bred 3-year-olds, the $75,000 Daniel Stearns Cleveland Gold Cup at the same 1 1/8-mile distance.