Farewell to The Ohio Derby

[TheSpyder]

First of all, have to give a shout out to Brents Prince!

I grew up there and understand what you're saying, as did many on this board surprizingly enough. Remember the guy that always shouted at Rini?

Anyway, first, it's far from being a bad part of town, you're wa off there. Certainly not what it use to be as the pinnicle when the mall opened accross the street.

I do agree the cards are pitiful not so much due to quality, which has always been low, but rather not having enough stock to have full fields.

My friend still goes there many times a week and says TV's are out, lights are not being replaced, and the atmosphere is gloomy at best. The future looks certain if they do not get slots or some injection of money.

It was fun in the old days. I practically grew up there.

Spyder

[Ogygian]

It looks like a bomb went off around there, a war-zone,it is run down and an absolute shame. Lets put it this way, of all the places to raise a family in Cleveland...North Randall would have a very very hard time making the list. It makes you feel like you have to roll your windows up and lock your doors just driving thru. Now if the track was on the westside somewhere it may have been a different story...
I can't say I remember the guy that shouted Rini...at the time i was only 15 maybe...I just remember it being so much nicer then Erie/Commodore Downs...

[2MinsToPost]

River Downs is the best Ohio has to offer, and that is little at this point. They are still trying to push slots on the voters, and now with Penn National involved and there getting some support in the Capitol, who knows.

River Downs is a nice diamond in the rough, and I think in great part the reason why is its location. See Thistle and Beulah. River is far removed (not that far but far enough) from "the element".

[otisotisotis]

Originally Posted by 2MinsToPost

River Downs is the best Ohio has to offer, and that is little at this point. They are still trying to push slots on the voters, and now with Penn National involved and there getting some support in the Capitol, who knows.

River Downs is a nice diamond in the rough, and I think in great part the reason why is its location. See Thistle and Beulah. River is far removed (not that far but far enough) from "the element".

Location is beautiful, quality is ugly. But you would be amazed at the weekend crowds they get, with people actually tailgating on the front row of the parking lot that has a front row view of the top of the stretch. I will always clamor they should put up lights and go to night racing.

[2MinsToPost]

Originally Posted by otisotisotis

Location is beautiful, quality is ugly. But you would be amazed at the weekend crowds they get, with people actually tailgating on the front row of the parking lot that has a front row view of the top of the stretch. I will always clamor they should put up lights and go to night racing.

Yeah I was there Saturday and the blacktop was packed front to back. Great idea you have, night racing. Only thing that I could see as a problem would be next door, Riverbend. They do host a lot of concerts, and they almost all are in the evening.

I really do cherish that track for its ambience.

[horseofcourse]

Originally Posted by 2MinsToPost

River Downs is the best Ohio has to offer, and that is little at this point. They are still trying to push slots on the voters, and now with Penn National involved and there getting some support in the Capitol, who knows.

River Downs is a nice diamond in the rough, and I think in great part the reason why is its location. See Thistle and Beulah. River is far removed (not that far but far enough) from "the element".

Bismuth?? or just simple carbon?? which one is designated as "the" element? I've never known.

oh wait...my bad...

http://www.theelementsite.com/

these guys terrorizing beulah and thistle?

[The Indomitable DrugS]

I've been to many Ohio Derby's and many Prince Of Wales stakes at Fort Erie.

Shame to see them both go.

[philcski]

Originally Posted by The Indomitable DrugS

I've been to many Ohio Derby's and many Prince Of Wales stakes at Fort Erie.

Shame to see them both go.

Prince Of Wales/Ft Erie may not go... as per the Buffalo News. The Ft Erie website seems to have live racing dates listed and the Prince of Wales Stakes as July 12th. Went there many times as well, back in the day it was much better racing than Finger Lakes- now not so much.

[tjfla]

Ya really not a big loss. Was like the 3rd string 3yr old every year

[Kasept]

This has nothing to do with the quality of the Ohio Derby... They're suspending it for the year and using the money to support the purses for the horsemen on the grounds. It's the right thing to do instead of giving that money to out of towners that come in one day for the graded stake, take the money and leave.

They can re-evaluate next year and bring it back if things are better without losing the grading.

[westcoastinvader]

Originally Posted by TheSpyder

First of all, have to give a shout out to Brents Prince!

I grew up there and understand what you're saying, as did many on this board surprizingly enough. Remember the guy that always shouted at Rini?

Anyway, first, it's far from being a bad part of town, you're wa off there. Certainly not what it use to be as the pinnicle when the mall opened accross the street.

I do agree the cards are pitiful not so much due to quality, which has always been low, but rather not having enough stock to have full fields.

My friend still goes there many times a week and says TV's are out, lights are not being replaced, and the atmosphere is gloomy at best. The future looks certain if they do not get slots or some injection of money.

It was fun in the old days. I practically grew up there.

Spyder

And as a fellow Clevelander, I lay blame for the demise of Northeastern Ohio thoroughbred racing firmly at the door of Eddie DeBartolo.

He, of San Francisco 49'er ownership "glory years" fame.

DeBartolo bought and trashed the legacy of every track in Northeastern Ohio as he assembled his "shopping mall" empire and tore down and eliminated Ohio tracks from the mid-1960's on.


Not that Ohio tracks ever had much of a legacy, but the DeBartolo family assured they did not.