from Eldorado Scioto Downs

Columbus, OH — As the season wrapped up on Saturday (Sept. 10) at Eldorado Scioto Downs, the racing action was never hotter. Scioto Downs saw track records, a world record, a leading driver’s battle and a wagering increase that will make the 2016 season go down as one of the most memorable.

Drivers Chris Page and Josh Sutton gave horsemen, gamblers, and fans a driving showcase during the 2016 meet. Chris Page was on top of the leading drivers standing most of the year; however Josh Sutton had other plans leading into the last week of racing.

While being seven victories behind, Sutton got to work reeling Page in night after night. Going into the final race of the year, Page and Sutton were tied at 171 victories apiece. When it was all said and done, Sutton guided Perma Grin while Strange Hanover and Chris Page settled for second. Sutton finished the 2016 meet with 172 victories in 933 starts and purse earnings of $1,778,884.

For the 23rd consecutive year, Virgil Morgan Jr. led all trainers with 86 victories in 378 starts and purses of $825,054.

The racing action was fast all year as nine track records fell, led by Always B Miki tying his own world record of 1:47 in the Jim Ewart Memorial. It was a race that the on-track fans will not soon forget as fan favorite Wiggle It Jiggleit and Always B Miki battled head to head for most of the mile. When track announcer Barry Vicroy said three-quarters in 1:19, the crowd erupted. The two champions battled all the way to the wire with Always B Miki getting the victory.

Out of the 1,159 races at Scioto Downs this summer, 68 percent of them were full 10 horse fields and the betting public responded with a 6.9 percent increase in all source handle — even with five less racing days compared to 2015.

Scioto Downs finished the 2016 season with the percentage of favorites winning 37.74 percent of the time.

Purses also grew in 2016 to a total of $15,900,588 over the course of 90 days. The average daily purse at Scioto Downs was $176,673 per day.

Scioto Downs would like to thank the gamblers, fans, horsemen, owners and caretakers for their continued support in 2016 and we hope to see you back in 2017. Even though there is no live racing this winter, the penthouse will remain open all year for simulcasting needs.

Eldorado Scioto Downs is also planning a grand opening for the new 118 room Hampton Inn Hotel slated for December.