Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races is a casino, hotel and thoroughbred horse racing complex located in Charles Town, West Virginia, 60 miles (97 km) northwest of Washington D.C. It is owned by Gaming and Leisure Properties and operated by Penn Entertainment. History Background and development The track opened on December 2, 1933. It was the first horse track to open in West Virginia, following the legalization of parimutuel wagering earlier in the year. It was developed and operated by the Shenandoah Valley Jockey Club, led by Joseph Boyle. It became America's first winter race meet upon its opening. The facility, located on the former grounds of the Charles Town Horse Show, was constructed in two months at a cost of $160,000 (a huge sum during the height of the Great Depression). The developers believed that it would draw large crowds due to it being the only northern track to hold races during the winter season, and they were right. Even with freezing temperatures and odds being calculated by slide rule, the grandstand overflowed. Train service from Baltimore boosted attendance, and the track continued to thrive through World War II. The facility attracted many notable guests, including J. Edgar Hoover, who was a regular visitor, and John F. Kennedy during his campaign for Presidency. Ownership changes and expansion Shenandoah Corporation purchased the track in 1971 for $6 million. Shenandoah Corporation also owned Shenandoah Downs, which was Charles Town Races only competitor. After the closure of Shenandoah Downs in 1975, year-round racing was moved to Charles Town. Shenandoah Corporation was acquired in 1977 by Kenton Corporation, which then merged with Rapid-American Corporation in 1981. In 1983, Rapid-American sold the Charles Town track to a group of local businesspersons for approximately $12 million. During the 1990s, purses fell, leading to dwindling attendance and fewer high-caliber horses. The track's future was in serious doubt, and many observers feared the facility would close for good. Then, during the fall of 1996, voters approved video lottery machines at Charles Town. The track was then sold in early 1997 to a joint venture of Penn National Gaming (now Penn Entertainment) and Bryant Development Company for $16.5 million. The new owners began a $175-million upgrade of the venue. These upgrades included the addition of simulcast racing, numerous dining options, and 3,500 slot machines. Penn National bought out Bryant Development's 11-percent stake in the property in 2000 for