It has been announced that harness racing ‘county fair style’ will be coming to Palm Beach County in Florida this September, as the Sunshine Meadows Equestrian Village in Delray Beach will host two days of Sunshine Stakes racing on its one-mile racetrack.
The equine training facility has reached an agreement with the Florida Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association (FSBOA) to hold races for two and three-year-old state-bred trotters and pacers on Saturday, September 13 and Saturday, September 20. Rain dates will be on the following Sunday.
“We are very excited that Sunshine Meadows has agreed to host the two days of stakes races,” said FSBOA Executive Director Joe Pennacchio. “We estimate that there will be in excess of $50,000 in purse money over the two days of racing. It will be exciting as the management team at Sunshine Meadows is committed to making the two race days a county fair type atmosphere centered on the live racing.”
First-race post time each day will be 11 a.m. It is estimated that there will be from 10 to 11 races on each program.
“We are very excited about hosting these races,” said Brandon Mills, general manager at Sunshine Meadows Equestrian Village. “It is an opportunity to show our great facility to the general public and to have a fun community event for everyone to attend.”
There will be free parking and admission for the races. People are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs as there is no grandstand or seating, only beautifully manicured lawns to watch from.
In addition to the Sunshine Stakes races, there will be an exhibition race with Racing Under Saddle (RUS), the Florida Amateur Driving Club will be participating and a local media celebrity race will take place each race day. Parents and grandparents can bring children, as there will be pony rides, face painting and other children’s activities, plus plenty of food vendors, arts and crafts and equine product displays.
“We are working to make this a very special event,” Mills said. “Something that people can look forward to attending every year. So many people drive by and see our signs on 441 but never think to come on in and check us out. We have a great facility here and want to show it off.”
The Sunshine Meadows Equestrian Village is the winter home to world-renowned Standardbred trainers Jonas Czernyson, Chuck Sylvester and Frank Antonacci. World class trotters Maven, Spider Blue Chip and Dorsay trained all winter at Sunshine Meadows.
(With files from Sunshine Meadows Equestrian Village)