The Meadowlands and the GSY Amateur Racing Club have announced that a regular schedule of races will be geared toward amateur driver participation at the Meadowlands Racetrack every Friday, beginning on March 20.
Via a joint release, the two entities announced that the GSY Amateur Racing Club is the result of discussions between Meadowlands management and Dave Yarock, an avid amateur driver that has helped to facilitate other such endeavors in the northeast.
The races will be pari-mutuel events for a purse of $8,000 each week, concluding with a $15,000 final on Saturday, May 1. The placement will be the second race on Friday's card to help build customer familiarity with the competing horses and drivers.
To participate, all drivers must qualify as amateurs per USTA standards, hold an ‘A’ or ‘P’ licence and join the club for a one time fee of $215. There is no per-race fee. The races will be scheduled to avoid conflict with any existing amateur series thus providing drivers the opportunity to compete in as many races as possible.
"I started seven years ago driving my one horse, now I have 15 horses and a farm to house them," said Yarock. "The amateur drivers together own hundreds of horses, employ trainers and grooms and bring new people into the business. Bob Krivelin, Bob Hechkoff, Steve Oldford, David Glasser and Joe Pennacchio are just a few of many that love the racing and have big investments. For us it's a fantasy – racing at the Meadowlands is like playing in Yankee Stadium. The GSY Club will also benefit a number of charities by the donation of the driver's percentage."
Meadowlands CEO Jason Settlemoir added that "The amateur drivers continue to gain popularity with the racing audience and they have a stronger presence than ever in our sport. Their passion is contagious and we welcome them and the potential new fans they will bring to the Meadowlands."
A new website is in the works (amateurharnessracing.com) that will contain biographies, past performance records and a video of a race driven by the competing amateurs.
Interested parties should make quick contact with Yarock at [email protected] or by phone at 201-914-9238 for further details on membership in the GSY club. Entries for the races will be taken by Yarock as well.
(With files from the Meadowlands and the GSY Amateur Racing Club)