by Marty Evans, the Ohio State Racing Commission

Columbus, OH — The Ohio State Racing Commission approved wagering formats, simulcast schedules and track officials for the Walton Hills Meeting at Northfield Park during its monthly meeting in Columbus on Tuesday (Sept. 23). The race meeting begins in October.

The commission approved the rescheduling of live quarter horse racing dates at Beulah Park. The new dates are Nov. 2 and Nov. 16. Prior live dates awarded to the racetrack were Nov. 23 and Nov. 30.

Scioto Downs was given permission to pay $100 to each owner of the 19 horses entered in two races that were cancelled due to a power outage on Sept. 19. The amount will offset certain costs owners are required to pay on the day of racing.

The commission decided to begin the rule change process in order to update three administrative rules, 3769-4-19, 3769-14-17 and 3769-20-2. It was also provided with possible additions to rule 3769-5-66 that relates to the Ohio Thoroughbred Race Fund.

Commission members were updated on changes in 2014 racing dates applied for by commercial racetracks.

Executive Director William Crawford said Beulah Park requested to offer simulcasting through May 3 next year instead of closing on April 13. It also amended its application to begin simulcasting at its new location in Mahoning County on Aug. 1.

Northfield Park applied to drop one live racing day in 2014, reducing the total to 212.

Scioto Downs, required by Ohio racing law to offer 100 live days in 2014 unless it obtains a reduction in the minimum number from the Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association, applied for 90 live days in an amended application.

Three of the state’s other four commercial tracks also need permission from a horsemen’s representative to conduct the amount of live days applied for in 2014. Only Thistledown, at 122 days, would not need the permission of horsemen to race the number of live programs it has applied for next year.

The commission may or may not consider date applications when scheduled to meet next on Oct. 24 at 10 a.m. in downtown Columbus.