by Tom LaMarra, USTA Web Newsroom Correspondent

Columbus, OH — Scioto Downs Racino and the Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association have agreed on a 90-night live racing meet for 2014.

OHHA president Steve McCoy and Scioto Downs general manager of racing Stacy Cahill said the deal was signed the morning of Dec. 19 and subsequently presented to the Ohio State Racing Commission.

Scioto Downs by statute is required to race 100 days in 2014 unless it reaches an agreement with the OHHA on fewer dates.

“We’re very happy with the agreement,” said Cahill, who noted racing most weeks will be held Tuesday through Saturday evenings.

On another matter, Tim Diehl, an attorney for Scioto Downs owners MTR Gaming Group, told the OSRC the track and horsemen’s group are close to a deal on the percentage of VLT revenue that will go to purses. In light of having no agreement, the minimum by law—9%–has been paid the past two years.

“We hope to hammer things out in advance of the deadline,” Diehl said.

If the tracks and horsemen’s groups have no agreements in place by Dec. 31, the OSRC will establish the percentage, which by law can be no less than 9% and no more than 11%.