Mullinax Ford, developed by founder Ed Mullinax into one of the largest Ford dealer groups in the world, has been named the official truck dealer of the Hambletonian Society.
The Hambetonian Society owns and administers 137 of harness racing’s most important events, including the $1 million Hambletonian and the $5.6 million Breeders Crown Championship Series.
Mullinax, known as the one-price pioneer for instituting a no-haggle pricing policy on car sales, is also a successful breeder and owner of Standardbreds. He has won the Little Brown Jug with P Forty Seven and campaigned the $2.3 million earner and successful stallion Dragon Again. Many of his racehorses bear the name prefix ‘Upfront,’ a reference to the Mullinax dealerships tag line of ‘Up Front Pricing! No Dealer Fees! Huge Inventory!’
The 91st edition of the Hambletonian, America’s Trotting Classic, will be held Saturday, August 6 at the Meadowlands Racetrack. It is the focus of a live 90-minute broadcast on CBS Sports-Network the 24-hour cable home of CBS Sports, from 4-5:30 p.m. (EDT).
“It is the most famous race in the history of harness racing – and when (Hanover Shoe Farms president) Jim Simpson suggested a partnership, (between the Hambletonian Society and Mullinax Ford) I didn't have to stutter,” said Ed Mullinax.
“I want to sponsor harness racing because I’ve spent my life in the business,” Mullinax added. “I’ve sold more Fords than anyone in the country and I’m proud to be associated with these races.”
In addition to the live telecast, Mullinax Ford will be promoted with ‘The Road to the Hambletonian, Powered by Mullinax Ford’ on hambletonian.com and through an integrated social media campaign coordinated with the U.S. Trotting Association and the Harness Racing FanZone. Mullinax Ford will participate in race presentations and Hambletonian Festival events.
“The Hambletonian, first raced in 1926, is one of America’s most traditional events, and Mullinax Ford trucks are a natural partner for the racing and farming businesses,” said Tom Charters, president and CEO of the Hambletonian Society. “We welcome the Mullinax Ford family of truck dealerships and look forward to our partnership.”
The John Cashman Jr. Memorial, and the Cane Pace, the first leg of the pacing Triple Crown, the $500,000 Hambletonian Oaks and $1 million Hambletonian are the features of the Hambletonian Day card, closing day of the Meadowlands Championship Meet. First-race post time is 12:00 noon on August 6.
The Breeders Crown championship series will also be raced this year at the Meadowlands, with the open events raced Friday, October 28 and the two and three-year-old events on Saturday, October 29.
(Hambletonian Society)