Belterra Park

1925 – Fifteen (15) years after closing a previous track in Cincinnati, Old Oakley Race Course was the opening of the Beleterra Park in 1925. It was originally called River Downs, located along the banks of the Ohio River, adjacent to the Coney Island Water Park and Riverbend Music Center.

1937 – The track survived the Cincinnati flood in 1937 and reopened under the name of “River Downs.” 

1956 – The 7-furlong turf course was built, making River Downs the 13th track in America with a turf course.

1980’s – The Miller Genuine Draft Cradle Stakes became the wealthiest race for 2-year-olds in Ohio. 

1996 – State legislation permitted full card simulcasting in the state. 

1997 – After months of renovation of the River Downs Racebook, the track was unfortunately flooded by the Cincinnati flood of 1997. The entire lower level of the Clubhouse, the first level of the grandstand, the office, and the barn area were all flooded. 

2011 – Pinnacle Entertainment purchased Belterra Park on January 2011.

2013 – Pinnacle renamed River Downs to Belterra Park on October 2013. 

2014 – Belterra Park applied to race until mid-October in its 2014 reopening, citing an opportunity created when the autumn racing dates at nearby Turfway Park were transferred to Churchill Downs.

2018 – Boyd Gaming purchased the property from Pinnacle, along with three other casinos, on October 2018.