About Beterra Park

River Downs commenced its inaugural meet on July 6, 1925 as the track was then known as "Coney Island," which remains the name of an amusement park next door. River Downs is located adjacent to the Ohio River, and is easily accessible by boat. Racing surfaces include a one-mile dirt oval and seven-furlong turf course; the latter is the only greensward at any Ohio track. The 2-year-old gelding, Clang, defeated the 2-year-old filly, Myrtlewood, in a six-furlong match race at River Downs on October 12, 1935 with Clang's winning time of 1:09 1/5 was a world record for the distance that stood for 12 years. Hall of Famer Discovery was a 12-length winner of the `35 Cincinnati Handicap at River Downs while fellow Hall of Famer Seabiscuit ran twice at River Downs in 1936, and was defeated both times. Spend a Buck, the 1984 Cradle Stakes winner, went on to win the Kentucky Derby and was North America's Horse of the Year in 1985.