Midway through, the 2023 Eldorado Scioto Downs race meet is showing monumental gains over 2022 numbers.

Through the first 45 days of racing, handle is up 30.25 per cent with over $6.2-million more wagered in 2023 than in 2022.

“We’ve had a lot of buzz this year with the new grandstand being built, so a lot more eyes have been on our track and product,” said Jason Roth, Scioto’s Director of Racing. “The horse population has been great, handle keeps improving and we’ve got some exciting racing and promotions coming up for the second half of our season.”

Year-to-date, Scioto has hosted 35 race days with 16 races. There have been 703 races with 58.8 per cent of them having full, 10-horse fields. The track has a percentage of winning favourites sitting at 45.09.

Dan Noble is the leading driver so far with 87 wins, 2022 leading driver Chris Page sits second with 78 and Brett Miller rounds out the top three with 74. On the trainer side, 28-time leading trainer Virgil Morgan Jr. sits on top of the leaderboard with 51 wins in 214 starts while Ron Burke sits close behind with 47 wins. Both have a UTRS in the .350s.

Some highlights of the second half of the racing season will include Red, White & Boozy beer fest on Saturday, July 15, the #SendItIn and Cleopatra Invitationals on July 29, Ohio State Fair racing Aug. 3-5 and Ohio Super Night, including the Jim Ewart & Charlie Hill Memorials, on Saturday, Sept. 9.

Racing is held at Scioto Downs each Tuesday and Wednesday with a 3:15 p.m. first post and Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays with a 5:50 p.m. first post through Saturday, Sept. 16.

(Scioto Downs)