2026 Crown to Scioto Downs

[PineHurstPacer]

https://x.com/EldoradoScioto/status/1893840994660921766

[Bitter Truth]

Good Lord willing and the creek don't rise, I will be there.

[Brown jug]

so they have just under two years to convert it to a mile track

[JT]

Good Lord willing and the creek don't rise, I will be there.

You and me both bitter.. it's about a 45 minute drive from my house in Delaware.

[Papillon]

so they have just under two years to convert it to a mile track

I seriously doubt that will happen

[Stan durbread]

Are they changing race dates at Scioto?  Or are they going to try to squeeze the BC In the middle of the busiest part of stake season?

[Liberty Bell]

What they'll probably do is just run that weekend.

[seen2much]

It makes no sense unless you do a deeper dive. I've read on Facebook that the host track loses anywhere from 500K to a million dollars. All the races the H. Society own drain the host tracks. Imagine hosting the Breeders Cup & losing money? The Hambletonian Society contributes little to nothing for the sport. It has become part of the welfare chain. The suck the life out of the hosts to pay their salaries.
John Campbell does what on a day to day basis...anyone? He has the authority to change anything?  Nope....
Whoever is willing to pay the Hambletonian Societies fees get the Breeders Crown. It doesn't matter if they have a handle, are equipped for it, or have proper testing. It's a cash grab for the H. Society & nothing more.

[JT]

Are they changing race dates at Scioto?  Or are they going to try to squeeze the BC In the middle of the busiest part of stake season?

Usually their meet ends the Saturday before jug week. Then after jug week Dayton starts their meet. I'm guessing they will just have dates for 2 breeders crown weekends elims and finals tin October or November

[jupiter]

I don't think it will happen, money looser for the host track. They've had the BC on smaller tracks Mohawk 5/8, Meadows, Pocono Pompano etc. even Batavia.

[Grandstand Handicapper]

Why convert to a mile track?

Everyone says it's a money loser for the host track. If it truly is----then why do tracks line up and compete to host the BC? I think it's BS, or at least posturing. It may be a loss leader, but one would think there is a profitable element, cash cow, etc. OTOH, I've long said the people who run racetracks don't know anything about the business of running a racetrack. The host track does give up specific revenue(s) streams, but I am not so sure that makes it a money loser. Personally, I am glad to see Scioto get it. I think the BC should focus on tracks that are going to actually survive under what the business model of the future will be for tracks.

[Brown jug]

why convert to a mile track?
because that is where all the best and most fair racing is done  for both gamblers and owners
you want to have a decent horse in the crown and draw post eight , good luck, you might qualify for the final and draw out there again because you had no shot to win the elim and get to pick a post

[Papillon]

it would be costly to convert any current 5/8th to a two turn mile

I do not see any entity investing in harness racing in the near future

Harrah's went cheap and had the chance when they built the track in Chester, PA back in 06-07

Tioga could have been converted also when it was constructed

[Liberty Bell]

it would be costly to convert any current 5/8th to a two turn mile

I do not see any entity investing in harness racing in the near future

Harrah's went cheap and had the chance when they built the track in Chester, PA back in 06-07

Tioga could have been converted also when it was constructed

Even if they wanted to, Chester really doesn't have the room for a 1-mile track. In fact, the race starts on the backstretch on a bridge with water underneath. A track and casino never should have been built in such a poor neighborhood with alot of crime.

[JT]

Scioto has a very nice and probably the fastest 5/8 track in the country. Additionally they recently demolished the old Grandstand and built a new one that's very nice. Why screw up a good thing? I'm glad they get a shot at it, not only because it's close to my house, but the BC is always on a mile or 7/8.. it's good to change things up