The harness racing community once again showed robust support for two of the sport’s most important charities – The Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame and the Standardbred Retirement Foundation (SRF) – at a casino-themed fundraiser held on Hambletonian eve at The Meadowlands in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

The August 3 event, with presenting sponsorship from the Svanstedt Stable, Lennart Agren’s SRF Stable and Meadowlands Racetrack, featured nearly 200 people playing casino games and vying in a poker tournament to win prizes that included an all-expenses paid trip to Las Vegas sponsored by Roberts Communications, an evening in Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman’s box at the stadium, harness racing art, high tech devices and baskets of wine and spirits.

Approximately $80,000 was raised and will be shared equally by both groups.

A buffet dinner and an open bar was provided throughout the evening to go along with blackjack, roulette, craps and a great night of racing. Arden Homestead Stable sponsored the open bar, Charlie Keller and Yankeeland Farms sponsored the raffle and Marvin Katz underwrote dessert.

The important work of both programs, preserving and presenting the history of the sport and assisting equine athletes after their racing days, was also supported by Brittany Farms and the American Ideal Syndicate, sponsor of many of the casino prizes. Other sponsors included Tony Alagna, Bill Augustine, Arch Madness, Burke Stable, George Brennan, Bluegrass Staking, Brian Brown Stable, Cameo Hills Farm, Corey Callahan, John and Paula Campbell, Diamond Creek Farms, Daniel Dube, Jay Farrar, Ted Gewertz and Claire Chappell, Hambletonian Society, Brad and Bonnie Grant, Yannick Gingras, Real Desire Syndicate, David McDuffee, Freehold Raceway, Mark Ford Training Center, Marion Marauder Group, McWicked, Erv Miller Stable, Julie and Andy Miller, Preferred Equine, Seelster Farms, Thestable.ca, Sweet Lou, Tim Tetrick, Brian Sears, Nick Surick, Linda Toscano, Howard Taylor, Paula Wellwood and Hambletonian winning driver Scott Zeron. Their generosity helped ensure that proceeds from participants’ casino fees went directly to support the work of the Museum and the SRF.

The Museum is planning a major expansion project and the SRF is caring for nearly 400 horses. The money raised on August 3 will be an important first step in achieving goals for both groups.

A charitable event has been part of the Hambletonian festivities since 1991 and has raised a total of $1.4 million.

(Hambletonian Society)