The 30,000-square foot structure headlines $30 million in improvements.

by Jay Wolf

In maybe the most anticipated opening day in Eldorado Scioto Downs history, the south Columbus track looks to regain its position as “Ohio’s Showplace of Racing” when it opens its 64th year of racing on Thursday (May 11).

Gone is the iconic grandstand that was condemned in 2017. The futuristic plant has been replaced with a brand new 30,000-square foot facility with 700+ stadium seats, 10 private box seat areas, two VIP rooms and a picnic area on the north end of the building.

Noticeable improvements were also made in the existing clubhouse dining room, the patio area and the winner’s circle.

In total, the improvements will run close to $30 million, showing Eldorado Scioto Downs’ commitment to the future of the sport.

“It was a lot of hard work and a lot of long hours,” said Jason Roth, Scioto Downs director of racing. “We are extremely proud of what we have here and for the future of this track.”

In 1958, Charlie Hill acted on his dream to build a state-of-the art track to replace the aged Hilliard Raceway, the site of the current Franklin County Fairgrounds.

Hill broke ground on his $3 million, 140-acre dream facility with an ambitious goal of having it ready for a summer 1959 meet. A cold, wet winter caused construction delays, pushing the inaugural Scioto Downs opening to the fall.

Construction of the new grandstand took nearly one year to be completed. Also, in a twist of fate, concrete from the original grandstand was crushed down and was used as backfill for the new plant.

The south Columbus oval will have a 3:15 p.m. post time on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and a 5:50 p.m. first post on Thursday through Saturday.

“We gave the post time change plenty of thought,” Roth said. “The horsemen love the earlier posts because they can train in the morning, race in the afternoon and be home at a decent hour. However, our ultimate goal is to bring back the fans to the track, so the evening post will accommodate that.”

Trainer Virgil Morgan Jr. is looking to add to his nearly three-decade stranglehold as the leading conditioner at Scioto Downs. Morgan, whose streak started in 1996, was named to the Ohio Harness Racing Hall of Fame in 2021 and has over 7,200 career wins.

What isn’t certain is who the top reinsman at Scioto Downs may be, as the last five southern Ohio meets have been won by five different drivers: Tyler Smith (2021, Dayton Raceway), Brett Miller (2022, Miami Valley), Chris Page (2022, Scioto Downs), Jeremy Smith (2022, Dayton Raceway) and Trace Tetrick (2023, Miami Valley). All but Tetrick are expected to spend a majority of their time at Scioto Downs this summer.

The 2023 Scioto Downs stakes calendar is packed and prosperous.

The fourth edition of the $600,000 (est.) Next Generation events for 2-year-olds will take place on Saturday, July 1, the $200,000 (est.) #Sendititin and Cleopatra invitationals for aged pacers are carded for July 29. and the $1 million (est.) Ohio State Fair Stakes will be contested from Aug. 3 – 5.

The $3.7 million (est.) Ohio Super Night will return to Scioto Downs on Saturday, Sept. 9 with the Ohio Sires Stake Finals and Consolations, the Jim Ewart Memorial and the Charlie Hill Memorial: making the card a potential 18-race marathon with a special 5:00 p.m. post.

Scioto Downs is catering to the wagering public with free past performance programs each day and race replays on their website (www.caesars.com/scioto-downs).

The 90-date meet will conclude on Saturday, Sept. 16.