Fifth horse track proposed for Pennsylvania

Friday, June 22, 2001 | 11:06 a.m.

ERIE, Pa. -- A West Virginia gaming firm is proposing to build a thoroughbred racing track in Summit Township, raising the possibility that the sport could come back after being absent from Erie County for more than a decade.

In meetings with lawmakers Wednesday, MTR Gaming, which operates Mountaineer Race Track and Gaming Center in Chester, W.Va., said it is willing to invest $56 million over several years to build Presque Isle Downs.

Currently, the state has four horse racing tracks, one each in or near Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Philadelphia and the Poconos. MTR also operates small casinos in Las Vegas and Reno.

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