from Hollywood Dayton Raceway

Dayton, OH — Hollywood Dayton Raceway is pleased to report a whopping 52 percent increase in total all-source wagering on its recently-concluded 2017 live meet. Because there were 76 days in the track’s fourth annual meet, six more than in 2016, the average daily increase was 42 percent in a year-over-year comparison.

The numbers are particularly impressive in light of the recent industry report that total wagering on United States harness racing fell by 4.4 percent in 2017. That same report indicated that total purses across the country were up 2.35 percent over 2016.

Total purses at Hollywood Dayton’s 2017 meet exceeded $8.5 million, for an average of $112,000 per program, an 18 percent increase over 2016.

Another indication of the vitality of harness racing in Ohio was the volume at the claim box. A total of 281 claims were processed in 2017 (405 including duplicates) for a total of $3,270,450. The corresponding numbers in 2016 were 242 claims for $2,534,150.

Highlight of the meet were the Grand Circuit races in September, the $167,000 Dayton Trotting Derby and the $140,000 Dayton Pacing Derby. Pasithea Face S (Tim Tetrick) set a new 1:53 track record for trotting mares when she bested males Crazy Wow and JL Cruze in the feature trot. Rockin Ron (Matt Kakaley) bested Dealt A Winner and Missile J to cop the pace in 1:50.2.

Hollywood Dayton looks forward to the 2018 meet which opens on Sept. 10, with both the Dayton Trotting and Pacing Derbies featured on Friday (Sept. 28).