The Standardbred Breeders of Ontario Association will be adding to the treasure chest of the annual $1 million Georgian Gold Rush, set for July 11 at Georgian Downs

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Launched in 2008, Gold Rush is one of the richest programs of the year for Ontario-sired horses, combining four $130,000 Ontario Sires Stakes Gold finals with four $130,000 Masters Series finals. The Masters Series, now in its third year, is open to Ontario-sired aged trotters and pacers.

“Gold Rush is a celebration of the terrific standardbred horses bred and raised in Ontario,” said Jim Bullock, president of the SBOA. “The owners of the horses that compete have made a wise choice by breeding in Ontario or purchasing Ontario-bred yearlings. We think this is an ideal venue to reward their investment.”

Along with the lucrative purses up for grabs, the owners of the 81 trotters and pacers advancing to Gold Rush finals will be eligible for one of three Ontario yearling sale credits. The SBOA will award sale credits totaling $10,000, $7,500 and $5,000 to three randomly-drawn starters. The connections will be able to apply the credits toward the purchase of any Ontario-sired yearling at a 2009 sale based in Ontario.

“Gold Rush is our greatest night of racing and we’re thrilled to have the SBOA as partners on the event,” said Chris Roberts, Georgian Downs' director of Operations. “The horses produced in Ontario match or exceed any in the world and we’ve never seen better evidence of that than in the last year. The SBOA’s commitment will enhance this important event.”

All horses advancing to the July 11 OSS Gold finals or Masters Series finals will be eligible for the SBOA-sponsored draw, which will be conducted during the Gold Rush festivities.

(Georgian)