Saratoga Casino and Raceway is set to welcome some of America’s finest Standardbred performers during the running of the seventh annual Joe Gerrity Jr. Memorial Free for All Pace on Saturday, July 25.
First post for the evening program is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. This year’s memorial pace boasts a $260,000 purse, and over $500,000 in total purses throughout the course of the evening.
New York Racing Association announcing legend Tom Durkin will be on hand to sign autographs and meet with guests by the winner’s circle from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. An autographed commemorative photo of Durkin will be given away to the first 500 race fans. Sam Grossman, AKA ‘Sam The Bugler,’ will also be present and interacting with guests in attendance, in between calling all the pacers and trotters to the post throughout the card. Racing fans in attendance will also receive a coupon for a free commemorative 2015 ‘Gerrity Night’ t-shirt with the purchase of a $2 race program, while supplies last.
Additionally, free Stewart’s Ice Cream cones will be given out to the first 500 guests in attendance starting at 6:30 p.m. The giveaway is sponsored by The Agriculture & New York State Horse Breeding Development Fund.
“Along with several of the top Standardbred pacers in the northeast, we’re pleased to welcome two of Saratoga’s most prominent racing personalities to the 2015 Gerrity Night,” said John Matarazzo, director of racing operations at Saratoga Casino and Raceway. “With two track records shattered in the past two years, we’re excited to see what this year’s signature racing event has in store for our loyal fans.”
The Memorial was created in 2009 as a pacing series honouring the memory of Joe Gerrity, Jr. and his many contributions. A highly respected leader, inspiration and an icon for Saratoga Raceway and the horse racing industry, he was a breeder of horses in Loudonville, a licensed harness driver and became Chairman of the Board of Saratoga Harness Racing, Inc. (now Saratoga Casino and Raceway) on April 1, 1987. Gerrity later oversaw the expansion of the facility and the installation of video gaming machines, funding the project in part himself. He also served as a director for the Harness Horse Breeders of New York State for 20 years, and also acted as treasurer for much of that time. Gerrity passed away in October of 2005.
(Saratoga)