East
Rutherford, NJ - The Meadowlands and
GSY Amateur Racing Club are announcing a regular schedule of races
geared toward amateur driver participation at the New Jersey track every
Friday beginning March 20. The GSY Amateur Racing Club is the result of discussions
between Meadowlands management and Dave Yarock, an avid amateur driver who has
helped to facilitate other such endeavors in the northeast.
The races will
be pari-mutuel events for a purse of $8,000 each week, concluding with a
$15,000 final on Saturday, May 1. The placement will be the second
race on Friday's card to help build customer familiarity with the competing
horses and drivers.
To participate, all
drivers must qualify as amateurs per USTA standards, hold an "A" or
"P" license and join the Club for a one time fee of $215. There
is no per-race fee.The races will be scheduled to avoid conflict
with any existing amateur series thus providing drivers the
opportunity to compete in as many races as possible.
"I started seven
years ago driving my one horse, now I have 15 horses and a farm to house
them," said Yarock. "The amateur drivers together own hundreds of
horses, employ trainers and grooms and bring new people into the business. Bob
Krivelin, Bob Hechkoff, Steve Oldford, David Glasser and Joe
Pennacchio are just a few of many that love the racing and have big
investments. For us it's a fantasy; racing at The Meadowlands is like playing
in Yankee Stadium. The GSY Club will also benefit a number of charities by
the donation of the driver's percentage."
Meadowlands CEO Jason
Settlemoir added "The amateur drivers continue to gain popularity with the
racing audience and they have a stronger presence than ever in our sport. Their
passion is contagious and we welcome them and the potential new fans they
will bring to The Meadowlands."
A new website is in the
works at www.amateurharnessracing.com that will
contain biographies, past performance records and a video of a race driven
by the competing amateurs.
Interested parties
should make quick contact with Mr. Yarock at DaveYarock@gmail.com
or by phone at (201) 914-9238 for further details on membership in
the GSY club. Entries for the races will be taken by Mr. Yarock as well.
