by Marty Evans, the Ohio State Racing Commission

Columbus, OH — During its monthly meeting at the Riffe Center in Columbus earlier today, the Ohio State Racing Commission approved the addition of two live racing days at Scioto Downs.

The days, August 4 and 11, replace two lost in May when the racing surface needed repair. Both are Sundays. Post time will be 5 p.m. The live River Downs at Beulah Park racing programs in nearby Grove City are expected to conclude by 4:45 p.m. on each Sunday.

Commissioners heard a presentation from Brock Millstein, chairman of Northfield Park. He detailed some aspects of construction underway prior to the planned opening of a racino on the property in December.

He explained uses for a new $1.2 million building on the backstretch and other planned upgrades to facilitate racing operations.

Millstein also mentioned restaurants planned and other details about the racetrack’s capital expenditure of around $250 million to prepare for video lottery terminal wagering.

In a decision related to Northfield Park, the commission voted to extend the track’s appointment as Ohio’s collection and settlement agent. This agent collects fees from six other commercial tracks in the state and forwards the proper amount to those tracks that simulcast races to Ohio locations.

The Ohio Thoroughbred Race Fund requested and received permission to increase the purse of the Best of Ohio Sprint from $75,000 to $100,000. The race will be held at Thistledown on Oct. 12.

The racing commission may meet in July and a date for the next meeting of the commission will be announced.