Thistledown Suspends Grade II Ohio Derby

Buckeye State Will Be Without Most Prestigious Race in 2009

First it was the housing market, then the auto market, and now the economy is rearing its ugly head in the Thoroughbred Industry. Last month, Cleveland area race track Thistledown's parent company Magna Entertainment Corp filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Many observers around the North Randall track wondered if that meant the death of the Ohio Derby. The track confirmed the rumors yesterday that the $300,000 Grade II race will be suspended this year and said that they will sell the race track at auction later this year.

The Ohio Derby started in 1876 and has had dark years due to the economy and war in the past. 2009 will be the first time since 1951 that there will be no race held.
Among the winners of the race are Black Gold who was a Kentucky Derby winner and Skip Away who was one of the best race horses in the entire 20th century earning nearly $10,000,000 in purse money in his career.

The good news for area horseplayers is that Thistledown management says that the Ohio Derby will return for its regular 2010. By returning next racing season, it would keep the prestigious Grade II tag. The track is keeping the Cleveland Gold Cup and the Best of Ohio racing series as well which features what will be the richest stakes races at the track this season. Here is a complete schedule of the big racing days of the Thistledown season.