by John McNamara, director of marketing & guest services, Raceway Park

Toledo, OH — Raceway Park began its live racing season on Saturday (April 30) to an opening weekend crowd of over 2,200. They are now counting down until their biggest party of the year — the 137th running of the Kentucky Derby this Saturday (May 7).

After five months off, Saturday’s opening night at Raceway Park brought the return of live horse racing action to Toledo. Raceway Park took what was traditionally a good night out at the races and turned it into an evening of celebration with a variety of entertainment and giveaways — a reflection of the company’s broader strategy focusing Raceway Park as a summer-time family friendly entertainment destination featuring something for all ages.

The crowd came out early for the promotions, including 150 season passes that were all gone before the first race even started! K100 Country’s Harvey Steele also joined Raceway Park to give away two tickets to the 2011 Kentucky Derby.

“We couldn’t have asked for a better start to our 2011 season,” said General Manager Bill McLaughlin. “The weather was perfect and the energy in the air was electric. We can’t wait for the Derby this weekend!”

Post times are an hour later than last year with Saturday’s post time of 7 p.m. and Sunday’s post time of 6 p.m. Also a Wednesday night live racing with a 6:30 p.m. post time will occur on Wednesdays from May 18 to June 8.

A continued focus on giveaways this season will continue with t-shirts sponsored by the Ohio Lottery & Raceway Park being given away on the day of the Kentucky Derby Party on May 7 to the first 500 paid admissions. The most exciting two minutes in sports, the Kentucky Derby will be the start of the Triple Crown celebration at Raceway Park on May 7. General admission will be available for $2 starting at 5 p.m. Tickets are also still for sale at the Crazy Horse Clubhouse for the Kentucky Derby Gala hosted by The Village 50. The Kentucky Derby Gala event in the Crazy Horse Clubhouse will include food, drinks, live entertainment, live horse racing and more.