Remington sale nears final approval

The Oklahoma Racing Commission on Thursday set a Dec. 17 special meeting to consider Global Gaming's licensing as the new owner of Remington Park. In August, Global Gaming reached an agreement to purchase the track from Magna Entertainment for $80.25 million. Magna filed for bankruptcy in March.

Remington operates a casino with 700 electronic games. The Oklahoma City track is in the midst of a Thoroughbred meet that runs through Dec. 14.

During the commission meeting Thursday, the panel was updated on the status of Global Gaming's license application, which includes procedural suitability checks. It also heard public comment. The commission then set the special meeting to consider final licensing.

"It's fairly close," said Tino Rieger, executive director of the Oklahoma Racing Commission. "There's not many loose ends to tie up."

Global Gaming is a Chickasaw Nation organization. It also recently won an auction to acquire the assets of Lone Star Park near Dallas from Magna for $47 million.

In other business at its Thursday meeting, the commission approved two separate meets for Will Rogers Downs in Claremore for 2010. The track typically runs a single mixed meet. But next year, a 32-date Thoroughbred meet will run from March 6 to May 15, while 29 days of racing for Quarter Horses will be run between from September to November.