Harness racing showing resurgence in Ohio

DAYTON, Ohio (AP) — The Ohio harness racing industry is showing signs of resurgence three months after the opening of the state’s first racetrack with video lottery terminals, according to some in the racing industry.

Attendance at harness racing events is up, racing fans are betting more and the number of mares bred in Ohio is expected to rise, the Dayton Daily News reported.

Tracks in Ohio started slipping in attendance after Pennsylvania and Indiana approved video lottery gambling at racetracks in 2006, said Jerry Knappenberger, general manager of the Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association. But many in the industry think the addition of video lottery terminals in Ohio will help draw more people to Ohio’s tracks and increase those tracks’ purses.