The first draw for the upcoming Dover Downs meet will take place on Monday, October 27.
The racetrack is also open for training on Monday.
The upcoming 2014-2015 meet will officially reopen for its 46th season on Sunday, November 2, with first-race post time at 5:30 p.m.
The schedule for training on the track is: Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. until 12 noon. The first qualifying day is Wednesday, October 29 starting at 10 a.m. Qualifying horses must be declared in to go, the previous day.
The condition sheet for the first week of racing can be found on doverdowns.com
The first draw will take place on Monday, October 27 for the opening-day card, Sunday, November 2; the Tuesday, October 27 draw is for Monday, November 3 races. The draw for Wednesday qualifying race (October 29). The draw on Wednesday, October 29 will be for Tuesday, November 4; and on Thursday, October 30, the draw will be for Wednesday, November 5 racing.
Starting on Monday, October 27 – Thursday, October 30, race secretary Rod Newhart stresses horses for the opening week of racing must be submitted from 8 a.m. until 10 a.m. sharp. Late entries will not be accepted.
Beginning November 3, the race office will take entries from 10 a.m. until 12 noon sharp, with no exceptions.
On race days, the race office will be open from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. The race office phone numbers are 302-857-3230 or 302-674-4600, extension 3230. To fax, use 302-741-8986.
Daily condition sheet s will be published on the track website (doverdowns.com).
Dover Downs will race Monday through Thursday with first-race post time at 4:30 p.m. Sunday racing will begin at 5:30 p.m. There is no live racing on Friday and Saturday.
Sunday, November 2 is declaration day for all eight Matron Stakes for two and three-year-old trotting and pacing colts and fillies to be raced on Thursday, November 6.
The track’s signature event, the $350,000 (est.) Progress Pace for three-year-old colts, is set for $35,000 eliminations on Sunday, November 26, with the final on Sunday, December 7.
On the weekly schedule, the top female paces are set for Mondays; top claimers on Tuesdays; top trotters on Wednesdays, and the Preferred, Delaware Special and Opens will top the Thursday programs.
The Dover Downs season features 15 races carded daily. During the upcoming meet, there are a handful of non-live racing day exceptions.
Non-racing days are:
• Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 27
• The traditional one-week Christmas break, December 19 - December 27
• On New Year’s Eve, Wednesday, December 31
• and Super Bowl Sunday, February 1
On Progress Pace Final Day, Sunday, December 7, all fans in the Dover Downs Race and Sports Book, showing their Capital Club card (which can be obtained without charge), will receive a free 2014 Progress Pace cap.
Simulcasting of Standardbred and Thoroughbred racing and NFL three-game wagering is available daily from 12 noon until 12 midnight. There is no charge for parking and admission. Early reservations are suggested for the Winner’s Circle Restaurant and for those planning to stay at Dover Downs Hotel. Call 302-674-4600.
(Dover Downs)