Belterra Park

The Ohio State Racing Commission (OSRC) issued a new directive on Friday that extends an existing shutdown mandating that Thoroughbred and Standardbred tracks remain closed for live racing while stipulating that backstretch facilities at venues where meets were already in progress have to stay "open and operational until further notice." Right now, Mahoning Valley Race Course is the only Thoroughbred track in the state with an operational backstretch. There are about 800 horses and 95 caretakers living in the stable area. The track was supposed to race through Apr. 18,...

The Ohio State Racing Commission (OSRC) issued a directive effective Mar. 31 mandating that Thoroughbred and Standardbred tracks remain closed for live racing through Apr. 30 while stipulating that backstretch facilities at venues where meets were already in progress have to stay "open and operational until further notice." At this time of year, Mahoning Valley Race Course is the only Thoroughbred track open in Ohio. Live racing was last held there Mar. 18. The OSRC's directive was issued on the heels of horsemen at Mahoning Valley receiving notice from track...

Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey has begun serving a 15-day suspension handed down by the Ohio Racing Commission after a horse he trained tested positive for the prohibited medication hydrochlorothiazide. The suspension began Feb. 6 and runs through Feb. 20. McGaughey was also fined $500. The test came from a Sept. 9, 2019 race at Belterra Park and with the mare Tactical Affair (Tapit). Tactical Affair, who is owned by Phipps Stable, won the Sept. 9 allowance race, but has been disqualified and placed last. According to Bill Crawford,...