Preparations for the opening night of racing at Ocean Downs are being finalized as the vacationland oval on the eastern shore of Maryland is set to open its 76th year of harness racing on Sunday, May 25.
Racing will be held at 48-day race meet on a Sunday-Monday-Wednesday schedule to start (no racing on Memorial Day, Monday, May 26), with the season ending on Wednesday, Sept. 3. Tuesdays will be added for the entire month of July. Post time has been moved up to 6:40 p.m. for the season.
Qualifiers starting the meet will be held on Wednesday, beginning on May 21 at 10 a.m. Declarations are due by 10 a.m. on Monday,
May 19. After that, all qualifiers will be held prior to racing on Wednesdays with a special 5 p.m. start. Declarations to qualify for Wednesday, May 28 are due by 10 a.m. on Memorial Day, Monday, May 26. Afterwards, the qualifying box closes at 6 p.m. on Mondays, beginning June 2.
Horsepeople are reminded to adhere to the draw schedule and condition sheet posted on the United Stations Trotting Association website. The first draw will be held on Wednesday, May 21. Entries are due by 9 a.m.
Racing applications are available at the Ocean Downs website at oceandowns.com and must be accepted prior to racing. For further information, contact race secretary Crystal Lilley at 410-641-0600 ext. 3212.
(Ocean Downs)