At its close it was one of only three tracks in Ohio to offer live thoroughbred racing, the others being Thistledown in North Randall and River Downs in Cincinnati.

After his death, his son, Robert Y. Dienst who was conservative, took over and rebuilt the track, especially the backside when a fire broke out circa 1959.

Because of this, Robert Y. Dienst built almost all concrete block with tin roof barns from then on—having a full-time construction crew just for that purpose.

He had a small stable, River Divide Farm, of about a dozen horses that he raced with the guidance of Trainer & Starter Don Rose up until his death on Nov. 7, 1996 (when Robert Y. was hours shy of his 80th birthday).

Robert Y. Dienst's son-in-law, Thomas E. Heinl worked in charge of Parimutuels (from 1975 to 1986) -- computerizing the Totalization equipment, the first to do so in the eastern part of the United States.

The name was changed to Darby Downs for two years, and it appeared that some interesting things happened under that new regime: for example like two decades of racing records disappeared.

In 2011, Penn National Gaming, the owner of Beulah Park, announced plans to relocate the track and all operations to Dayton, Ohio.

The $125 million facility will be called Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course, and will create approximately 1,000 jobs.

The facility will close after 2013 as River Downs returns to Cincinnati, and the Beulah Park license transfers to Youngstown.