by Jason Roth, for Scioto Downs

Columbus, OH — Scioto Downs will kick off the 2015 racing season on Tuesday (May 5) and stall applications are now available online.

All trainers that would like stalls are asked to submit a workers compensation waiver along with the stall application by March 16. Stalls will be assigned by April 1.

There will be three memorial races for older horses along with a mini-series for 3-year-old Ohio sired horses, with payments that must be postmarked by March 16.

The mini-series is for 3-year-old Ohio sired horses that are eligible to all legs of the Ohio Sire Stakes. Eliminations will take place on May 15 for trotters and May 16 for pacers, each with an estimated purse of $15,000. The finals for both gaits will be held on May 25, Memorial Day, with an estimated purse of $25,000. There is a one-time payment of $100 for the mini-series.

The Charlie Hill Memorial Trot, Jim Ewart Memorial Pace and Sam “Chip” Noble III Memorial Trot are all open to 4-year-olds and up for their respective gaits. Those that enter with the highest lifetime earnings will start.

The Charlie Hill Memorial Trot is scheduled for Saturday (June 6) with a purse of $200,000. New for 2015, there will be a consolation race with a purse of $50,000 if 18 or more horses enter. There is a one-time nomination fee of $500 due for the Hill Memorial Trot.

The Jim Ewart Memorial Pace and Sam “Chip” Noble III Memorial Trot will both be held on Ohio Super Night (Saturday, Sept. 12), with a purse of $225,000 and $100,000, respectively. The nomination fee for the Noble Memorial Trot is $250, while the nomination fee for the Ewart Memorial Pace is $500.

The 2015 racing season at Scioto Downs will have 95 race cards, commencing Tuesday (May 5) with a 2 p.m. post time. Live racing will be held every Tuesday through Saturday until Sept. 12. Post time Wednesday through Saturday will be 6:30 p.m., while all Tuesday and holiday cards will start at 2 p.m. For a complete race schedule, visit the Scioto Downs website.