Scioto: Preparations continue for May 12 opening day

In just 18 days, the 2022 Eldorado Scioto Downs live race meet will start on Thursday, May 12. Condition sheets for opening week are now posted.

"We look forward to starting our 2022 racing season," said Jason Roth, Scioto's Director of Racing. "While the facility and atmosphere will be a lot different for our fans and horsemen, we all know it is to work towards a better and brighter future."

Pre-demolition work has been on-going since the close of the 2021 racing season including asbestos remediation, electrical relocation and other utility preparation. During the past couple months, demolition has taken place at the South Columbus oval to tear down and remove the old grandstand and penthouse. Currently all the old concrete is being crushed and will be used as backfill or removed from the grounds. The clubhouse and patio area in front of the clubhouse remain open for guests to enjoy the races this summer.

"Construction will be on-going this summer each day until 2:30 p.m.," explained Joseph Morris, Senior Vice President of Racing for Caesars Entertainment. "We will have afternoon posts all season long so we can complete the card before it gets dark."

The 90-day live racing season will run on a Tuesday-Saturday schedule and continue through Saturday, September 17. Qualifiers will be held on Saturdays before the races until 2-year-old qualifiers pick up in mid-June, then they will switch to Monday afternoons. Special race cards will be held on Monday, May 30 (Memorial Day), Monday, July 4 and Monday, September 5 instead of the regular Tuesday race day that week. All live racing days will have a 3:15 p.m. first post. A complete racing schedule can be found here.

Stakes action includes The Next Generation (for Ohio sired 2-year-olds) on July 4, Ohio State Fair racing August 4-6, the #SendItIn and Cleopatra Invitationals on August 19 and the Charlie Hill Memorial Trot & Jim Ewart Memorial Pace on September 10. Ohio Sires Stakes and Buckeye Stallion Series action start in early June and Scioto will host the Ohio Sires Stakes Veterans Championships on September 3.

For more information on the facility and live racing season, visit the Eldorado Scioto Downs website.

-edited release (Scioto Downs)