For the first time since its earliest days, one of the premier events in harness racing is returning to Eldorado Scioto Downs.
The Breeders Crown, last run at the Columbus racetrack in 1988, isn't just one championship race. Over two nights, Oct. 23 and 24, the event will feature 12 championship races for 2-year-old, 3-year-old and older horses in different categories. More than $8 million in prize money is at stake.
In a welcome message to racers and spectators for the event, Caesars Entertainment Senior Vice President of Racing Joe Morris said bringing the Breeders Crown back to Columbus and Scioto Downs has been a long-term goal for his company, which acquired the facility in 2020.
It also has been a goal of the Greater Columbus Sports Commission,
which sent a representative to Toronto to observe the 2025 Breeders Crown and helped pitch Columbus as a future site to the Hambletonian Society, which runs dozens of harness racing events.
The last time the crown came to Scioto Downs, its various races were split among tracks nationwide, and Columbus hosted just one of the 12 championships.
The full weekend of races "is definitely our moment to provide the local community with a new racing experience," Morris said. "We welcome this opportunity to unveil just how fantastic our racing program is in Ohio."
Jesse Ghiorzi, director of sports marketing for the city's sports commission, said capacity crowds are expected for both nights of racing at Scioto Downs. About 70% of the 2,400 spectators across both days are expected to come from out of town, he said.
With premium areas sold out, he said, Eldorado Scioto Downs is working to add more tables where it can.
In addition to the championship races, for which post time is 6 p.m. on both nights, the Breeders Crown Charity Challenge has been raising money for four Columbus charities during the lead-up to the weekend.
Four noted Ohio harness-racing drivers have teamed with four causes to collect votes on social media: David Miller for Make-A-Wish Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana; Chris Page for Folds of Honor; Ronnie Wrenn Jr. for the Greater Columbus Sports Foundation; and Austin Hanners for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio.
Money will be divided among the four, and checks will be presented Oct. 23.
Follow Dispatch reporter Bob Vitale on Instagram at @dispatchdining. You can reach him directly at rvitale@dispatch.com.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Harness racing's Breeders Crown brings championships to Scioto Downs
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