Miami Valley Raceway is busy readying for its sixth season of live harness racing, which will get underway when the calendar flips to 2019.
The 87-day meet will begin on Friday, January 4 and end on Monday, May 6. An initial qualifying session has been slated for Wednesday, January 2. The normal racing schedule throughout the meet will see Sunday, Monday and Tuesday matinees kick off at 2:05 p.m. (EST) and Friday and Saturday evening programs get underway at 6:05 p.m.
Among the many highlights will be the third annual ‘North America Drivers Championship,’ which will pit 30 of the continent’s finest drivers in a head-to-head, three-day competition from January 6 - 8. All top drivers throughout the United States and Canada are welcome to apply to participate by filling out the application that can be found at miamivalleygaming by using the ‘Racing’ and then ‘Horsemens Info’ tabs. If more than 30 apply, the field will be limited to those with the most career victories, including a minimum of 100 wins in 2018. Inaugural winner Doug McNair and last year’s winner, Trace Tetrick, are both expected to return and chase a share of the $25,000 in prize money.
Entry blanks are also available on the MVG website for most of the late-closing series offered during the meet, as well as ship-in applications and other pertinent information regarding the rapidly approaching 2019 season. Trainers interested in racing must first submit a ship-in application and a waiver of liability form before entering. The popular January ‘Claim To Fame’ late closers will commence during he second week of the 2019 season and nominations must be received by Saturday, January 5.
Condition sheets for the first week of racing at Miami Valley have also been posted on the USTA website, including information on the preferences granted to Ohio-sired and Ohio-owned horses. A double draw will take place on New Year’s Day (Tuesday, January 1) for both the Friday and Saturday programs on Opening Weekend.
Prior to January 1, inquiries or questions can be directed to the race secretary at: [email protected].
(Miami Valley Raceway)