HARRISBURG – A newly licensed racetrack in Lawrence County will bring new jobs, visitors and economic opportunity to western Pennsylvania, Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff said as the state’s last remaining harness racing license was awarded to Valley View Downs LP.
“Harness racing in Pennsylvania is an impressive and vital part of our economy, and this new track will help improve our respected equine industry and our excellent tourism offerings,” said Wolff. “I applaud the Pennsylvania Harness Racing Commission for choosing an applicant that I am certain will serve the best interest of the sport and all Pennsylvanians.”
Valley View Downs will be the first one-mile harness racing track in Pennsylvania, a historic benchmark that the commission feels represents the future of the industry.
“Valley View Downs will be a destination for standardbred horsemen and race fans,” said Anton Leppler, the commission’s executive secretary. “This state-of-the-art facility will help usher in a new era of harness racing by attracting world-class races, offering incredible purses and introducing new fans to the sport.”
The commission voted unanimously today, ending nearly five years of an evidentiary, administrative and investigatory process.
Valley View Downs and Bedford Downs had vied for the license, but the hopefuls decided to combine aspects of both proposals to create the amended Valley View Downs application.
“The commission is grateful that the parties could reach an agreement that will benefit our sport for years to come,” Leppler said.
The decision clears the way for Valley View Downs to apply for a gaming license before the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, which licenses and regulates all casino and slots gaming in the state.
The commission regulates all aspects of standardbred racing and pari-mutuel wagering, as well as all off-track wagering facilities around the state.
In addition to Pennsylvania’s three existing harness tracks – The Meadows, Chester Downs and Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs – races are held at 14 of the state’s county and community fairs. Pennsylvania is also home to the world’s largest breeder of standardbred horses, Hanover Shoe Farms. Hanover has been the national leader in harness racing since recordkeeping began in the 1950’s.
