The Ohio State Racing Commission has announced that it has approved 2015 permit applications at six of seven commercial racetracks in the state and live racing at all of them during its monthly meeting in Columbus on October 24.

The live days approved at Scioto Downs are contingent upon the racetrack gaining approval of its permit applications at a later date.

A total of 770 live days, 293 for Thoroughbreds, 473 for Standardbreds, and four for Quarter Horses are now planned. The commission approved the following for next year:

• Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley (two Thoroughbred and two Quarter Horse permits) – Thoroughbred racing Jan. 5 to Apr. 25 (65 days) and Oct. 30 to Dec. 29 (37 days), and quarter horse racing on Apr. 15 and Oct. 3;

• Belterra Park (one Quarter Horse and two Thoroughbred permits) – Thoroughbred racing Apr. 27 to Sept. 27 (95 days), and Quarter Horse racing on Aug. 9 and Sept. 13;

• Thistledown (four Thoroughbred permits) – Apr. 27 to Oct. 24 (100 days);

• Miami Valley Gaming and Racing (two Standardbred racing permits) – Jan. 7 to May 3 (89 days);

• Northfield Park (four Standardbred racing permits) – Jan. 1 to Dec. 30 (214 days);

• Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway (two Standardbred racing permits) – Sept. 14 to Dec. 30 (75 days); and

• Scioto Downs – May 5 to Sept 12 (95 days).

All tracks were given time to alter their racing schedules. Starting and ending dates for 2015 may undergo minor changes, but the number of live days will not.

The commission authorized the distribution of its share of taxes collected on casino gambling in the state between July 1 and Sept. 30. Payments to purse pools at commercial racetracks ($871,604), Thoroughbred and harness breed funds ($788,794), and four racetracks not owned by casinos ($311,387) will be made. The commission itself will receive $103,762 for specific uses that benefit horsemen in Ohio. Overall, the commission earmarked the payment of $2.07 million.

The commission heard updates on construction projects at two racetracks. Mark Loewe, representing Mahoning Valley, said the barn area would be finished in time to allow horses to stable on the backstretch beginning Nov. 10. The inaugural race card is scheduled on Nov. 24.

General manager Jim Simms, representing Miami Valley, assured the commission 13 improvements in the paddock and elsewhere would be completed before live racing returns there in early January.

Northfield Park owner Brock Millstein and Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association President Steve McCoy reported an agreement has not been reached that will include the percentage of Video Lottery Terminal Revenue that will be paid to horsemen for purses and other uses. This is required by Ohio law. Negotiations on an agreement were expected to continue later that day.

The racing commission meets next in Columbus on Nov. 20.

(With files from the Ohio State Racing Commission)