double check that they're still racing horses. it's definitely seasonal. I think you'll be fine, but at some point in the year, they start racing flat-track motorcycles there, which is pretty sweet too. Scioto downs is harness racing (sulkies = carts) not thoroughbread, so be prepared for that. if you want jockeys on horses' backs, you have to check out Beulah Park, if it's still open.

it's worth seeing once or twice. the horses are pretty and kind of amazing, but if you're the kind of person that gets sad about seeing animals in cages at the zoo, I suspect that the whipping and such might be distasteful.

Pay for the inside seats. The whole reason to go is to bet. betting can be done in as small or large increments as you want, so you won't go broke unless you feel like it. read the program. read past results. it's not the horses your picking, it's the driver. go with the winning driver. they get to pick the best horses.

It's kinda fun, you can eat there (not great) and get beers. You're going to be hanging out with some old people and some weirdos, but it's worth seeing.