The ‘Friends of Maryland Standardbreds’ is more than just a Facebook page helping promote the harness racing industry in Maryland. They are hosting a special ‘Evening at the Races’ on Saturday, April 12 at Rosecroft Raceway.

The special evening will not just feature a buffet meal and a great night of live racing action, but also guest speakers and networking opportunity to help promote the industry.

Friends of Maryland Standardbreds is led by Clarissa Coughlin and along with the Maryland Horse Council and Rosecroft Raceway, are coordinating this special evening at the track.

“This was such a successful event last year that we wanted to do it again once Rosecroft Raceway reopened,” said Coughlin. “Our special guests that will be attending and some will be speaking include Ted Black, sports reporter for the Gazette and president of the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the U.S. Harness Writers Association and he will handicap the first four races on the card for everyone in attendance; Helene Gregory and Jennifer Conner from RUS (Racing Under Saddle); Karen Craft from the Harness Horse Youth Foundation and Director of Facilities for Harrington Raceway; Julia Jesu from Close-Up Show Stables and Tom Cooke from the Cloverleaf Standardbred Owners’ Association.”

The event starts on Saturday, April 12 at 5:00 p.m. and the price of a ticket includes the buffet dinner. Ticket cost is $50 per person and the ticket price includes a one-year membership in MHC. If you are already a member of the MHC, tickets are just $35 each. Tickets can be ordered online.

The Friends of Maryland Standardbreds will be hosting the upcoming Harness Horse Youth Foundation (HHYF) Day Camp and a fundraiser for HHYF that evening during live racing at the track at Ocean Downs on Friday, June 27. Racing Under Saddle (RUS) will also be at Ocean Downs on Sunday, July 13. FOMS is currently requesting sponsors for the RUS event. There will be no pari-mutuel racing but through sponsorships will be able to offer a purse for RUS.

“We want to encourage anyone who loves harness racing to please support us and come to our Evening at the Races,” Coughlin said. “It will be a fun night, a chance to meet some great people in the industry and you will be helping to promote harness racing in Maryland.”

For more information, please contact Clarissa Coughlin via email at [email protected] or by calling 410-703-1316.

(Friends of Maryland Standardbreds)