Each year since 1991, the Harness Horse Youth Foundation has produced a set of 35 ‘harness heroes’ trading cards. This year, for the first time ever, one lucky winner will get a chance to interact with one of those heroes, Dave Palone, who became the winningest driver in harness racing history in 2014.
HHYF is teaming up with the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association and the Meadows to offer a special promotion. Palone will personally autograph several of his cards and those cards will be randomly inserted into the 2015 complete sets.
The lucky persons who find the special silver ticket in their set and return that ticket for validation by June 10, 2015 can win one of several prizes. The grand prize winner will get to experience one of Dave Palone’s favourite days, Adios Day.
Adios Day is the day that everyone at the Meadows looks forward to, with top Grand Circuit races including the premier three-year-old colt pacers in the country. The winner and their guests will start the morning off with a behind-the-scenes tour of the backstretch and paddock area, where they will be able to take a trip around the track with Palone in a two-seated jog cart. First-race post time for the afternoon race card is 12:20 p.m., and the winning guests will be seated in the owner’s dining area with a complimentary buffet and a perfect view of the track. They will also meet Palone in the winner’s circle for a photo. After the long day, the guests can relax at a nearby hotel and begin planning a return trip for 2016.
Other prizes will include collectable uncut press sheets from previous years’ production of Harness Heroes as well as HHYF and MSOA hats and shirts and more.
Sets of cards may be obtained through HHYF for a suggested donation of $15 per set (U.S. funds) and they will also be distributed free at Meadows Family Fun Day on May 29, 2015.
HHYF Executive Director Ellen Taylor said, “HHYF is really excited to partner with MSOA and the track in this promotion which is reminiscent of ‘Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.’ How cool would it be to find one of the Palone-signed Harness Heroes cards, your ‘Silver Ticket,’ to be eligible to spend a fantastic weekend watching great racing at the Meadows? There will be little surprises around every corner, but nothing dangerous. And, remember Willie Wonka was played by Gene Wilder? Our host is Heather Wilder. Both are amazingly talented and entertaining, but we prefer Heather by far. ”
Complete contest rules are available at hhyf.org. Winners must be 18 or over, but those entering the contest are encouraged to bring their children with them
(HHYF)