River Downs

River Downs is a thoroughbred horse racing facility in Cincinnati, Ohio with two tracks.

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Located only minutes from downtown Cincinnati along the scenic Ohio River, the track has a warm and friendly atmosphere that complements its state-of-the-art wagering facility.

River Downs' live racing season is held from early April through early September. As one of Ohio's premier horse racing tracks, River Downs hosts many of the state's biggest and most prestigious stakes events, among them are the MGD Cradle Stakes, Pepsi Bassinet Stakes, Buckeye Native Stakes, Miss Southern Ohio Stakes, Queen City Oaks, Hoover Stakes and the Vivacious Handicap.

River Downs Track Facts

Track	:	One mile, oval with two chutes (¾ and 1¼ miles)
Width of track	:	80 feet, all around
Distance from last turn to finish line	:	1,117 feet
Turf course	:	7 furlongs
Seating capacity (Grandstand)	:	about 8,500
Seating capacity (clubhouse)	:	about 850
Stable accommodations	:	1,350

Track Records

DIST	HORSE	AGE	WGT	REC	DATE
4 1/2 Furs.	Sans Terre	2	119	:52.2	May 24, 1971
5 Furs.	Banker's Forbes	5	117	:57.3	June 7, 1994
5 1/2 Furs.	Tazaua	4	120	1:03	Aug. 1, 1964
6 Furs.	Francine M.	5	124	1:08.3	July 4, 1969
1 Mile	Alladin Rib	3	119	1:36.1	Aug. 8, 1988
1 M 70 Yds	South Dakota	3	122	1:40	Aug. 4, 1945
1 1/16 Miles	Irish Dude	5	126	1:41.4	July 5, 1969
1 1/8 Miles	Brown Sugar	3	114	1:49	Sep. 2, 1925
1 1/4 Miles	Crusader	3	126	2:02	July 24, 1926
1 1/2 Miles	South Dakota	8	116	2:30.3	July 1, 1950
1 5/8 Miles	Sada	8	115	2:45.3	Oct. 13, 1994
1 11/16 Miles	Distribute	9	109	2:51.3	Sep. 7, 1940
1 3/4 Miles	Brigler	6	109	2:59.3	Oct. 19, 1940
1 7/8 Miles	Shot Bills	7	113	3:26.3	Aug. 19, 1979

Turf Course

DIST	HORSE	AGE	WGT	REC	DATE
4 1/2 Furs.	Adena	4	110	:50.4	May 26, 1977
5 Furs.	Hobbs	4	122	:56.1	Sep. 1, 1991
7 1/2 Furs	Stormy Deep	3	117	1:28.2	Aug 15, 1990
1 Mile	Bad News Blues	3	119	1:34.1	July 23, 1994
1 1/16 Miles	Franchise Player	5	112	1:40.3	June 12, 1994
1 3/8 Miles	Amberbee	4	115	2:15.4	July 1, 1972
1 7/16 Miles	Dina's Pl'ymate	11	120	2:25	Aug. 30, 1969
1 1/2 Miles	Rebel Thunder	4	116	2:28	June 28, 1996
1 7/8 Miles	Big Bettor	5	122	3:10.1	May 31, 1986
2 1/4 Miles	Buteo	6	122	3:48.2	Sep. 3, 1990

History of River Downs

1925

On July 6, the Coney Island racetrack attracted a crowd of 10,000 who wagered $83,000 on the inaugural day seven race card.

1926

The Cincinnati Derby attracted Belmont Stakes winner Display and American Derby winner Boot to Boot.

1935

Three-year-old fillies Myrtlewood and Clang met on a so-called "grudge match" that saw Clang reversing Myrtlewood's win just three weeks earlier at Hawthorne Park.

1936

The legendary Seabiscuit made two appearances at the track.

1937

After the big flood, the track re-opened under the new name of "River Downs."

1956

The seven furlong turf course was created, making River Downs the 13th track in America with a grass racing strip.

1976

On May 17, the eighth race of the day launched the career of Steve Cauthen. Fondly called "The Kid", he went on to become the leading apprentice and rider at River Downs that season. Two years later, he teamed up with Affirmed and became the youngest rider to sweep the Triple Crown.

1989

The grandstand was reconstructed. Soon after that, the clubhouse was upgraded.

1996

Ohio legislation finally allowed for Full Card simulcasting. Horse racing from across the nation was broadcast over a new 500 set state-of-the-art television system.

2000

The 2000 edition of the Miller Genuine Draft had the deepest field ever to compete. The race produced three graded stakes winners and one of the best runners of this generation, Harlan's Holiday.

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