CalX1 - NEW OPERATOR GRANTED LICENSE

NEW OPERATOR GRANTED LICENSE FOR CAL EXPO HARNESS MEETING

Sacramento, Cal - The California Horse Racing Board unanimously approved the license application of new harness operator Watch and Wager.com LLC at their Thursday, August 23 meeting. The Board also approved the management agreement between Watch and Wager and Golden Bear Racing LLC for the day-to-day operation of the race meet. The approval was contingent on the receipt of a few outstanding safety items.

“We sincerely thank the Commissioners for their strong show of support for the continuation of California Harness Racing,” said Chris Schick of Golden Bear Racing. 

The Watch and Wager meet will kick off on Friday, November 2. The meet is scheduled to run through May 11, with Friday and Saturday programs until December 22, then Thursday, Friday, and Saturday racing through the remainder of the meeting. Overnight purses are estimated to begin at $41,500 per race night, with total purses at $55,000 nightly, including late closers and Sire Stakes.

The purse schedule, a new horse incentive plan and a schedule for the late-closing events will be released next week. New horseman are very much welcome and Cal Expo has ample stalls available on the grounds with no stall rent.

For more information, please feel free to contact Chris Schick at Chris@goldenbearracing.com or Ben Kenney at Ben@goldenbearracing.com. 

SBOANJ WILL CONTINUE TO SCRUTINIZE TRACK CONDITIONS AT FREEHOLD

MANALAPAN, NJ – August 24, 2012 – The responsibilities of the Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of New Jersey include the conditions under which horsemen operate at the state’s tracks.

“While we came to an agreement with the management of Freehold Raceway on Thursday to move ahead with qualifying races on Friday morning, we will continue to scrutinize the conditions of the racing surface for the safety of our horsemen,” said SBOANJ President Tom Luchento.

“We did not ‘retract’ our concerns over past issues with the track,” he noted.  “There have been multiple issues and many complaints by drivers and trainers, warranting our intervention.  We hope those problems are in the past and that there will be no issues when the track re-opens on August 30.”

 

--Submitted by Carol Hodes for SBOANJ

VD7/8 - Zweig Memorial at Vernond Downs on Sunday

Historic Vernon Downs will revisit its former glory on the afternoon of Sunday, August 26, the final day of the recreation of State Fair weekend. Being raced for the very first time at Vernon, the Dr. Harry M. Zweig Memorial has attracted the very finest three year old trotters in the land.

  Hambletonian winner Market Share heads the $350,000 Zweig Open division (race 10) where he will face New York's finest sophomore Archangel, last season's Breeders Crown winner Uncle Peter and 'Goodtimes' winner Beer Summit in his quest to add the Zweig title to his résumé.

  The $150,000 Zweig companion filly race (#8) may be described as a throw down between two titans of the trot, Ray Schnittker and Jimmy Takter. Both have three entries and the common ownership coupling required in New York has reduced the field of nine to just three betting interests.

  Takter sends out the formidable trio of On The Bright Side, Valdonna and Superstar Hanover, joined by Hambo Oaks winner Personal Style (Brittany Farms owned but from the Nifty Norman barn), into the melee versus Schnittker's battalion, led by world record holder Check Me Out coupled with Real Babe, Lima Playmate and Cowgirl Hall (Ted Gewertz owned interest with Gates Brunet the trainer) for a 4X4 battle royale. The odd girl out is Bob Key's accomplished million dollar winning Win Missy B for trainer Charlie Norris. 

  There are consolations for both of the above and the final round of the 2012 Drivers' Championship will span six of the thirteen races offered.

  Post time is 1:15 PM on Sunday and the afternoon is filled with promise for youngsters both equine and human with a carnival,  Jody Jamieson bobbleheads, T-shirts and a meet and greet with the celebrity drivers competing in the championship at 11:45. Check the Vernon website for further details.