Beulah Park racetrack facts for kids
| Location | Grove City, Ohio United States  |
|---|---|
| Owned by | Penn National Gaming |
| Date opened | 1923 |
| Course type | Flat/Thoroughbred |
| Notable races | Scarlet & Gray Handicap Glacial Princess Stakes. |
Beulah Park was a famous horse racing track in Ohio, United States. It was the first track in Ohio to host thoroughbred horse races. Thoroughbreds are a special breed of horses known for their speed. Beulah Park also held races for Quarter Horses. These horses are known for their ability to run short distances very fast.
The track was a popular place for people to watch live races. It also allowed people to bet on races happening at other tracks. This is called simulcast wagering. Beulah Park was open for many years, from 1923 until 2014.
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The Story of Beulah Park
Beulah Park first opened its doors in 1923. It was located in Grove City, Ohio, which is a town near Columbus. This made it Ohio's very first thoroughbred racetrack. For a long time, it was one of only a few places in Ohio where you could watch live horse racing.
In 1983, Beulah Park made history again. It was the first track in Ohio to let people bet on the famous Kentucky Derby race from another location. This was a big step for horse racing fans.
Owners Through the Years
The Dienst Family owned Beulah Park for 60 years, from 1923 to 1983. Robert J. Dienst ran the track until he passed away in 1959. He was known for making horse racing exciting for everyone.
After Robert J. Dienst, his son, Robert Y. Dienst, took over. He worked hard to improve the track. For example, after a fire destroyed a wooden barn in 1959, he rebuilt new barns using concrete blocks. This made them much safer for the horses. Robert Y. Dienst cared a lot about the horses and the people who worked with them.
In 1983, the track was sold to George Gaulding. For two years, its name was changed to Darby Downs. Then, in 1985, a builder named Charles Ruma bought the track. He changed the name back to Beulah Park. Ruma spent a lot of money to make the track even better for visitors.
Later, in 2010, a company called Penn National Gaming bought Beulah Park.
Moving to New Locations
In 2011, Penn National Gaming announced plans to move the track's operations. They wanted to build a new, bigger track in Dayton, Ohio. This new facility would create many jobs.
Then, in 2013, plans changed again. The license for Beulah Park was approved to move to Austintown, Ohio. This town is near Youngstown. The new facility was named Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course. It opened in 2014 and also created many jobs.
The Final Races
In 2013, Beulah Park temporarily hosted races for another track called River Downs. This happened while River Downs built a new facility in Cincinnati.
The very last day of live horse racing at Beulah Park was May 3, 2014. After this, the track closed its doors for good.
What Happened to the Land?
After the track closed, a developer named Pat Kelley bought the Beulah Park land. He had plans to build a new community there. These plans included homes, apartments, and special housing for older adults. There would also be shops, offices, and a large park.
Construction began in 2018. By 2021, the first people started moving into the new homes built on the former Beulah Park site.
Other Fun Events
Even when there were no horse races, Beulah Park was a busy place. It hosted concerts and amazing fireworks shows. It was also home to one of the world's largest mud volleyball tournaments. This fun event was held every year to support the Epilepsy Foundation.
