The Ohio Derby at ThistleDown was so much fun that I just couldn’t wait to visit another one of Ohio’s 3 Thoroughbred racetracks. A road trip ensued and I was back in Ohio this weekend. Belterra Park was my destination of choice for live racing!
Belterra Park is located along the Ohio River in Cincinnati. The track was built in 1925 and operated under the name Coney Island, a name which the neighboring amusement park still bears. Following a massive flood the track changed it’s name to River Downs in 1937. In 2014 the remodeled tracks and new gaming facility were renamed Belterra Park Racino. Belterra also features simulcasting and Quarter Horse racing. The 2017 Thoroughbred schedule runs 93 days, April 29th through October 8th, with live racing every Thursday through Sunday. The first post is at 1:20 P.M. EDT daily.
Located on 122 acres the racino is equipped with over 1,500 gaming machines and six restaurants. I enjoyed the buffet and I won a little money. There are more than a thousand stalls in the receiving barns. Belterra has an inner turf track of 7/8 mile (7 furlongs). The outer dirt track is one mile in length (8 furlongs). Chutes are available for longer races. 2017 features 17 stakes races, a few are graded black type. Seven stakes remain on the upcoming calendar. The grandstand is large with plenty of seating. The River Downs Club has track views and televisions for the comforts of the indoors. The great Seabiscuit raced at Belterra twice.
Yesterday, 8/5/17, there were 8 races. I was there for the entire card. I was most excited to watch Titled run in the 7th. Titled was foaled 4/29/13. She was bred by the late, Lucy G. Bassett and is owned by her Estate. Lucy’s husband is no other than Ted Bassett, former Keeneland and Breeders’ Cup President. Titled was sired by the late, Scat Daddy. Her dam is Lily’s Girl. I have watched Titled train since she was quite young. Her trainer is Geoff Mulcahy. Belterra is where she broke her maiden on 8/11/16 and simultaneously won the track record for 1 mile on the turf. Her time was 1:34.69.
Yesterday, Titled finished, in the money, third place. Her jockey was Dean A. Sarvis, whom I had the honor of meeting for the first time, rounding out my introductions to her connections. The race was very exciting as Titled led from the start, breaking from post 2 and she continued to lead until the stretch. It was another 1 mile turf race where she still holds the record.
I followed Titled back to the barn after the race where she was still full of energy. I expect her to win her next race.
Belterra Park is a great place to watch live Thoroughbred racing. I will be back from time to time. Additionally, a visit to Mahoning Valley would complete my Ohio racing bucket list. Fingers crossed that I can work that out sometime soon. Please, enjoy some of the photos I took during my stay. Follow Thoroughbred U on Twitter for additional pictures. I especially liked seeing the winner’s circle photo for the dead heat in the 5th between Mano Fox and If You Build It.
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