The excitement of live Thoroughbred racing returns to JACK Thistledown Racino Monday, April 26, opening a 100-day meet that extends through Oct. 14.
JACK Thistledown will card eight races Monday through Thursday with post time at 12:50 p.m. The season will also feature special Saturday race day cards, beginning with live racing on Saturday, May 1 ahead of the famed Kentucky Derby. In addition to the exciting racing action, this year’s races will offer a 10 percent increase in the track’s purses in hopes of attracting top class competition.
“We are excited to get back to our full slate of racing,” said Director of Racing Patrick Ellsworth. “We worked closely with the Ohio State Racing Commission and the Horsemen’s group last season to establish safe protocols that allowed us to race a shortened season. I’m very proud of our trainers, jockeys, and barn area personnel, along with our team here at JACK Thistledown, for doing their part to keep the show going. Now it’s time to look ahead to the 2021 season.”
The centerpiece of the meet is the 87th running of the Grade 3 $500,000 Ohio Derby on June 26. The Ohio Derby has the distinction of being the only graded stakes race in the State of Ohio. Coming off the success of last year’s participation in the Road to the Kentucky Derby as well as seeing its largest filed since 1999, this year’s derby day will feature a total of $1 million in purse money.
Ohio Derby Day will also feature the return of the Lady Jacqueline Stakes, an open race for fillies and mares that boasts a purse of $250,000 and expects to attract the top older fillies & mares in the Country.
“With the return of the Lady Jacqueline, the success of Last year’s Ohio Derby and the increase in purses this year, we fully anticipate a banner year for racing at Jack Thistledown Racino,” said Hugh Alan Drexler, racing secretary for JACK Thistledown Racino.
Doors open to the racing floor and track apron at 11:30 a.m. Admission to the races and parking are free. Children are welcome if accompanied by an adult. The minimum age for wagering on horse races in Ohio is 18.
More information is available at jackentertainment.com/thistledown/racing.
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