Is it Del Mar or Va ?
Ocean Downs LogoOcean Downs is now a racino complex located in Berlin, Maryland, across the bay from Ocean City. Opened as a half mile harness track in 1949, Ocean Downs continues to provide harness racing during the summer months. The racing section is a climate controlled environment, that seats 4,650 in the grandstand and another 350 in the clubhouse, parking is available for 5,000 cars. Racing dates for the Downs have not yet finalized for 2016, but expect the usual June to September format.
Ocean Downs is a half mile harness track located six miles from the beach resort resort town of Ocean City. Relying heavily on the tourist trade it only runs during the summer months. Around the mid eighties till the mid nineties during some hard times and ownership changes it went by the name Delmarva Downs. Somewhere around 1996 it changed back to Ocean Downs.
Ocean Downs AdThe year 2011 was big for Ocean Downs, besides it's annual summer meet it was also the first racetrack in Maryland to open as a racino. It was also the first racing season after a two year hiatus as the grandstand was rebuilt into a casino. During that period non betting Maryland Sires Stakes races were run for a few days, because Ocean Downs was the only harness track left in Maryland. In the drivers race Jonathan Roberts bested John Wagner by one win.
In 2012 Ocean Downs had an earlier than usual start as the season kicked off in mid June. In the drivers race John Wagner turned the tables on Jonathan Roberts to come away with the title.
I did attend Ocean Downs once in the mid sixties, I remember riding the bus from Norfolk, but not much more, only that the grandstand looked like an old open air barn structure. A few years ago I stopped by again and of course nothing looks like it did with the addition of the casino.