HARRISBURG -- The Indianapolis-based company that is hoping to open a casino and racetrack in Lawrence County says its two subsidiaries in the state have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

Centaur LLC said today it will continue to pursue the launch of Valley View Downs & Casino.

Chief Financial Officer Kurt Wilson says the company hopes that restructuring its debt will hasten progress on the Valley View property. The company says it submitted the filing yesterday.

Centaur has a license to operate a harness racing track at the site, 45 miles northwest of Pittsburgh.

But its financing for the $400 million-plus project fell through last year, and the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board doesn't want to issue a slot-machine gambling license unless Centaur has the money to build it.

Doug Harbach, spokesman for the Gaming Control Board, said Centaur's bankruptcy filing will make no immediate change in its status as an applicant for a slots license.

But he did say the filing includes "matters to be considered by the Bureau of Licensing and the Bureau of Investigations and Enforcement,'' with a possible effect on Centaur's licensing application status.

He said the board has conducted a public hearing in Lawrence County on the racetrack/casino application, but has never had a "suitability hearing'' in Harrisburg.

"Among other suitability issues, (we could) hear evidence on the financial suitability of the project,'' he said.

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