A pair of promotions, one coinciding with Hanover Raceway's addition of Thursday night cards and the other to complement Georgian Downs' Gold Rush card, have been announced by the respective raceways.

The action starts to double up this week at Hanover Raceway, as the Grey County track is set to host its first Thursday night card of the 2012 season. To celebrate, it will be Customer Appreciation Day with $1 hot dogs and $1 french fries at the concession stand throughout the races.

Thursday night racing will also be more interactive with racing fans, as there are two handicapping contests taking place on the mid-week cards.

Hanover Raceway will make the switch from Wednesday night to Thursdays in 2012, but first-race post time remains 7:15 p.m.

Along with reduced concessions prices, Hanover Raceway fans can participate in a brand new contest, called Pick-3 Fantasy Harness Racing. Contestants pick their fantasy team consisting of three drivers and three horses from Race 3 through Race 12 on the Thursday night card. Then, their team earns points for every top-three finish throughout the contest races.

Pick-3 Fantasy Harness Racing will run at Hanover Raceway for three qualifying legs on Thursdays until July 19, with the top eight point earners heading to the final on Dream Of Glory elimination night with $175 in prizes on the line.

For more information on the contest, visit the Hanover Raceway Facebook page. In August the traditional handicapping contest will return, which is always a fan favourite.

THE GOLD RUSH IS COMING TO GEORGIAN DOWNS

The rush is on at Georgian Downs this Saturday night. Ontario horse racing stars will converge on the Innisfil oval for the fifth annual Gold Rush and compete for a million dollars in racing awards. On July 7, Georgian Downs will host one of Ontario’s greatest nights of racing. In total eight championship stakes finals will be contested, bringing the best of Canadian horse racing together at one track.

For fans there will be western music and entertainment, games, contests, Kid’s amusements, free photographs with a celebrity horse, colouring books, horse and buggy rides and much more.

And there’s a chance to win $100,000 in the 'Golden Bucket' contest. After the 10th race, one lucky fan will take the track and select 1 of 100 gold buckets each containing a prize from $500 all the way up to $100,000. Ballots will appear in every Georgian Downs race program.

The Gold Rush is coming to Georgian Downs all the fun begins at 7:25 p.m.

(With files from Georgian Downs and Hanover Raceway)