by Marty Evans, the Ohio State Racing Commission

Columbus, OH — The Ohio State Racing Commission adopted resolutions that conditionally permit the relocation of Beulah Park to Austintown and Raceway Park to Dayton during a meeting in Columbus on May 1.

Hollywood at Mahoning Valley Race Course, in Austintown, and Hollywood at Dayton Raceway will still need to submit plans to the racing commission and Ohio Lottery Commission before either racino opens. Joint approval of both commissions is required by the Ohio Revised Code before VLT play can begin.

Each resolution contained conditions: Hollywood at Mahoning Valley must submit certain documents by June 15, have a minimum capacity of 1,001 seats with a view of live racing, and pay a $75 million relocation fee.

The conditions for Hollywood at Dayton are similar although the minimum seating capacity, at 1,037 seats, is slightly higher.

Steve Snyder, representing Penn National Gaming, the parent company of the racetracks, said the company will resume taking bids and actual construction at each site as a result of the commission action. Each racetrack is expected to open in 2014.

The commission also granted River Downs approval to conduct its 2013 live racing dates at Beulah Park. Sixty-five days of Thoroughbred racing will begin on May 19 and conclude on Sept. 23. Two days will also include races for quarter horses.

The Ohio General Assembly passed legislation earlier this year that would allow River Downs to move its live racing dates in 2013 only. The Cincinnati racetrack was unavailable because the grandstand was torn down to make way for the construction of a racino. The racing surface itself is also being moved.

The commission also approved the 2013 Ohio Thoroughbred Race Fund Program including the stakes schedule and awards to breeders.

A date for the next meeting of the commission will be announced at a later date.