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Live racing begins at Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course
AUSTINTOWN
“And they’re off and running at Mahoning Valley Race Course!”
The announcer was excited as the first horses took off from the gates at the Austintown facility at 12:45 p.m. Friday, which marked the start of the second live racing season there.
What began quietly as people sipped drinks and looked over racing programs quickly became a high- energy – and for some, high-stakes – event. The indoor viewing room burst to life with cheers, shouts and whistles as the first horses circled the track and closed in on the finish line.
The first winner of the new season was High Hopes E Day, owned by R&P Racing Stables LLC in Berlin Center, which proved lucrative for at least a few bettors.
Jimmy Cheff of Austintown won $250 on the first race.
“A lot of it’s luck,” he said.
Vince Mediate, who works in Canfield, stopped by on his break and also won money on the first race.
“It’s all downhill from here,” he joked. “I love coming out here. I was here on the first day last year. I was here on the last day, and a few times in between. I’ve been looking forward to this day.”
Mike Bolevich of Boardman was back for the second year as well, but was more focused on betting on races at other tracks.
“We’re here having a good time – that’s what it’s all about,” he said. “Some people come to make money. I just come to have fun and make new friends.”
As for the high-stakes part of the equation, Penn National officials, before the start of the season, highlighted the fact that the track now offers a larger daily-purse structure compared with last year.
“Buoyed by solid video lottery terminal revenue and simulcast wagering, we are pleased to offer a daily purse distribution of $90,000 and a bulked up stakes program for our horsemen and fans,” said Mark Loewe, Penn National vice president of racing operations in Ohio, in a release.
Company officials say the larger purse sizes resulted in an increase in stall applications; the 988-stall facility reportedly received 2,100 applications this year.
Shane Spiess of Michigan, who had 36 horses racing at the track Friday and had horses there last year, had a similar view, saying, “[It’s] much more competitive, and a lot more horses. A lot more activity here.”
Penn National also highlighted the track’s “bulked up” stakes schedule. In a release, the company announced the $200,000 Steel Valley Spring (part of the Penn Gaming Racing Challenge) and the $75,000 Mahoning Distaff will be run Nov. 23.
“Trainers based in the Midwest and Northeast have already inquired about the two stakes, and we are looking forward to bringing some of the top sprinters to our track. The Steel Valley tops the Stakes schedule, which features a total of 10 events worth $925,000,” Loewe said.
Live racing takes place Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays at the Austintown track. The first race time is 12:45 p.m. most days. The post time today is 12:35 p.m. because the Breeders’ Cup Classic runs later.