The Meadows Standardbred Owners’ Association (MSOA) has received a $150,000 grant from the State Horse Racing Commission for the marketing of racing in the region.
The MSOA is one of six horsemen's and breeders’ associations in the Pennsylvania Equine Coalition to receive a grant.
The state grant is part of Act 7, which was enacted in 2016 to reform the horse racing industry in Pennsylvania. The legislation stated that a percentage of the Racehorse Development Fund is to be used for marketing purposes statewide.
“We are extremely pleased to receive this grant from the Commission,” said MSOA President Rich Gillock. This will give us an opportunity to market our sport locally in ways that we have been unable to in previous years. We can reach a potential new audience through various media that we have never tried before, along with others where we’ve been very limited in the past.”
The marketing campaign will feature television, radio and digital media (internet) advertising. It will also include bus wraps on Freedom Transit Bus Lines.
“You will see our 16 buses in a four-county area,” said Gillock, “Washington, Allegheny, Westmoreland and Fayette Counties. Our message will be on metro buses to the City of Pittsburgh and Shared Ride buses in other counties. We think it’s a unique opportunity for us.”
The early portion of the campaign will feature the excitement of wagering on live racing at The Meadows in conjunction with Triple Crown events. The campaign will then shift its focus to events planned at The Meadows Racetrack this summer, including the Delvin Miller Adios Pace, along with racing’s online presence. “We will be getting out the message that you can watch and wager on our races from anywhere, via the internet,” said Gillock. “There are still a lot of people out there that don’t realize that.”
The MSOA’s new campaign kicks off on May 1.
(MSOA)