The $5.4 million in early closers hosted by Chester Downs will be administered by the Hambletonian Society

in 2009.

Nomination forms for all events are available at the Hambletonian Society website and at Chester's website. The deadline for all two and three-year-old nominations to these races is February 15.

The glittering array of events for every age, gait and gender will commence in April with the Betsy Ross for open pacing mares, followed by the Maxie Lee Memorial for open trotters. Open pacers take the stage in the Ben Franklin in July.

In August, the 'Roarin’ Grand' pulls into Chester Downs, as the five-eighths mile oval conducts their Super Stake Sunday. The Grand Circuit racing card will feature the Battle of the Brandywine for three-year-old pacers, the Colonial for three-year-old trotters and the Valley Forge for three-year-old filly pacers, as well as a pair of consolations for each event.

As in previous years, placement in either the main events or consolations will be determined according to 2009 seasonal earnings as of the draw day for the racing card.

Chester also hosts the Final Four, the quartet of two-year-old events that originated at the former Garden State Park in nearby Cherry Hill, New Jersey. The Valley Victory and Goldsmith Maid for two-year-old trotters and the Governor’s Cup and Three Diamonds for two-year-old pacers have traditionally been key factors in deciding divisional honours and have been hosted previously by the Meadowlands and Woodbine Racetracks.

For a complete schedule of events at Chester, click here.

(Hambletonian Society)