OCEAN DOWNS LIVE RACING MEET CONCLUDES THIS WEEKEND

The 60th Anniversary live-racing summer meet concludes this weekend at Ocean Downs with many family-friendly promotions set for the final two days of the 40-day meet.

There will be a free umbrella giveaway Saturday night, August 23rd when the first 500 fans to purchase an Ocean Downs race program will receive a free Ocean Downs’ golf umbrella. Sunday night, August 24th is athletic bag giveaway night when the first 1,000 fans to purchase a track race program will get a coupon which may be redeemed after the 8th race for a durable Ocean Downs’ athletic bag. There will be free pony rides for the kids both Saturday and Sunday evening from 7-9 pm. After the meet’s final race Sunday night, the track is presenting a spectacular fireworks display. Parking and admission are free at Ocean Downs.

Also Sunday night, the meet’s leading driver and trainer awards will be presented.

Eric Ledford, “the Windy City Express” and current New Jersey resident will be recognized as the summer’s leading driver. He didn’t start racing at Ocean Downs until the 7th night of the meet, but after racing Sunday, August 17th had an impressive 57 wins on 26 cards. Ledford who piloted the 2002 Hambletonian Final-winner Chip Chip Hooray has a winning percentage of 28% and purses nearing $100,000 for the summer at the ocean. “I’ve been very fortunate to drive a lot of good horses,” Ledford said.

Local shore trainer Mike Hall will receive his second “Trainer of the Meet” honor. Hall, who won the training title in 2006 with 19 winning horses, had 17 training wins this summer through racing August 17th in only 30 starts (56.7%).

One more stakes series will be run Saturday, August 23rd. The fourth and final leg of the “Deer Run Golf Club” late closer series will feature seven year-old gelding Anderson Avenue, which after two straight series wins, finished second August 16th to five year-old gelding Kosher King.

Ocean Downs Wednesday featured five Maryland Standardbred Fund races for top three year-old trotters and pacers in the state. Thursday highlighted six fund-races for top two year-olds in Maryland. The finals in the prestigious “Hal Belote Memorial” trot stakes series was contested Wednesday followed by Thursday’s final in the “Alan Myer Memorial” series.

Although the live racing meet concludes August 24th, simulcasting at top harness and thoroughbred tracks continues year-round at Ocean Downs. For further information, call the track (410) 641-0600 or visit www.oceandowns.com.

Jim Whittemore, Publicity Director