Sam Stathis, owner of Olympia of Palm Beach Training Center, formerly known as the South Florida Trotting Center, wants everyone to know that the track will be hosting harness racing qualifying races on Wednesday, April 1 and that the training centre has stall space available for Florida horsepeople.

“I want everyone to know that we are here to help all horse people during this crisis,” Stathis said. “And that we just received approval from the USTA (United States Trotting Association) to hold qualifying races.

“We are just finishing arranging everything for the qualifying races,” Stathis explained. “You need to have judges, a clerk of course, video, timing, an EMT and other special people to hold these races and I am pleased that we have assembled a team so we can hold these races for the horsepeople.

“I am even hiring a drone person to video the qualifying races from the air,” Stathis said. “I think everyone will love to see that special effect/view. As we do not want to encourage any crowds for these races due to [COVID-19] I am trying to provide the best viewing possible for these races.”

Entries for the qualifying races at Olympia of Palm Beach must be called in to Kathy Breedlove by 1:00 p.m. Monday, March 30 at 954-654-0129. There will be only three horses per race and if possible, horses will be split into divisions by gait. Qualifying races will begin Wednesday, April 1 at 11:00 a.m.

“Also, at this time at Olympia of Palm Beach, we are inviting horsepeople to move to our training facility,” Stathis said. “And the fee is whatever they can reasonably afford on an emergency basis.

“All we request is that the horses must have current health papers,” Stathis added. “And that at Olympia of Palm Beach we have a zero drug and alcohol tolerance policy on the property.”

For more information about Olympia of Palm Beach, click here or call 315-225-4992.

(Olympia of Palm Beach)