Georgian Downs today sent out a release outlining its live racing season, which kicks off Tuesday, March 3. Georgian has also sent a heads-up to horsepeople regarding morning training and qualifying, and the appointment of its new race secretary and centralized location
.
2009 Preview
Georgian Downs is set to begin its ninth and richest racing season ever, as it throws open its doors for 108 cards of harness racing beginning March 3.
The 2009 racing season will see the return of popular events such as the $1 million Georgian Gold Rush and Xtreme Horsepower, as well as new events such as the $500,000 Upper Canada Cup. In all, more than $13 million will be up for grabs over the track’s 10-month racing schedule.
“We’ve spent months ironing out our 2009 lineup and I can tell you it’s going to be great for our horsemen, great for the track and most importantly, a lot of fun for our fans,” said Chris Roberts, director of Operations.
Aside from its lucrative championship events, Georgian Downs will introduce a slate of new overnight stakes events in 2009, aimed at claiming and development classes. All told, more than $2 million in stakes events will highlight this year’s schedule.
Beginning March 3, the track races on Tuesday and Saturday evenings through the end of the year. Friday evenings are added to the calendar beginning August 14. First Race post time for each card is 7:25 p.m.
Training and Qualifiers
Georgian Downs will re-open its track for morning training beginning on Tuesday, February 17. The track is open weekly for training from Tuesday to Saturday from 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. The track will be closed for training on February 21 for the annual Georgian Downs Snow Pitch Tournament.
The first set of qualifiers will take place on Tuesday, February 24 at 10:00 a.m. The next set will take place on Saturday, March 7 and thereafter on each Saturday morning at 10:00 a.m.
New Race Secretary Announced; Location Centralized
Georgian Downs is pleased to welcome Sheri Minler-Grabatin to its management team as its new racing secretary. Effective immediately, all race office operations have been centralized at Flamboro Downs. New contact information will be published on the first set of condition sheets, available February 20. Dawn Schneider, a familiar face to horsemen at Georgian Downs, will continue in the role of assistant racing secretary.
Stakes information is currently available on the track’s website. The Overnight Stakes lineup will be available on February 24.
2009 Season At A Glance
• Live racing on Tuesday and Saturday evenings beginning March 3; Friday evenings beginning August 14. Post Time: 7:25 pm
• Special Cards: Jul. 1 (1:30), Dec. 31 (7:25)
• Parking & Admission: Free
• Dining Reservations: (705) 726 9400 ext. 245
• Number of Racing Cards: 108
• Total Purse Value: $13,000,000
• Special Events:
- Upper Canada Cup – May 23
- Earl Rowe Memorial Cup – May 23
- Gold Rush – July 11
- Xtreme Horsepower – August 29
•Overnight Stakes Events:
- Simcoe Claiming Series – April 25
- Prospector Claiming Series – August 28
- Summer’s End Claiming Series – Sept. 25
- All Saints Claiming Series – October 30
- Innisfil Cup Claiming Series – November 27
- Robert Simpson Claiming Series – Dec. 26
(With files from Georgian Downs)