by Lynne Snierson, publicity director, Rockingham Park

Salem, NH — With over 600 horses expected to be on the grounds soon and horsemen phoning from all across the United States and Canada to inquire about opportunities and stall space, the 102nd season in Rockingham’s history promises to offer full fields of quality harness racing throughout the meet.

The 2008 live meet, which opens Saturday, May 24, and continues through Labor Day on Monday, September 1, has peaked the interest of stables from across the continent and many of them are attracted by the excellent condition of Rockingham’s one mile oval and the competitive racing for horses in all classes.

“The phones are ringing off the hook and we’ve got them calling from all over the country and Canada wanting to get in on the action,” said Ozzie Cole, Rockingham’s director of racing. “This is shaping up as a very good meet.”

The action kicks off on Saturday with 10 races highlighted by the $11,000 featured event for pacers who have won over $10,000 lifetime.

Allnightcardgame, a 7-year-old horse who will begin from the far outside in the eight-horse field and has always been a fan favorite at The Rock, deserves the 5-2 favoritism from the morning line oddsmaker.

Allnightcardgame, driven by Greg Bowden and trained by Dawn Anderson, spent his winter enjoying a little rest and relaxation after he left The Rock at the end of last season in August. He came back to the races at The Meadowlands in April, and although he hasn’t won any of his four starts in 2008, he has been facing some pretty tough company.

The opening day card will also shine the spotlight on some of the 3- and 4-year-old male pacers who are contesting the Mountain Skipper Series this summer at Rockingham. Two divisions of the first leg of the series, which culminates on June 7, are on Saturday’s line-up with Bombay Hall favored in the first and PH Bestman the early pick in the second.

Every paid admission over 18 will receive a free season pass from opening day through June 1, and on Memorial Day Monday, all who come to the races will be handed a complimentary flag pin. Live racing will be held on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday over the holiday weekend with post time at 1:05 p.m. each day, and then resume next Friday, May 30.

Live racing will be held three days per week, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays in the early part of the summer and then Wednesdays will be added to the schedule starting on June 18. Post time is set for 1:05 p.m. each day.

The centerpieces of the summer racing season are the $50,000 New Hampshire Sweepstakes for pacers on June 14 and the $50,000 Joseph Carney Memorial Trot on August 31. The highlight of the summer promotional schedule, which includes activities and giveaways for people of all ages, is the Pepsi Family Fun Day on July 13.

Along with live racing during the 56-day meet, Rockingham offers full card Thoroughbred, harness, and greyhound racing seven days and nights per week. Local charities benefit from Texas Hold ‘Em and other poker games and Bingo every day of the week at the track.

For more information, visit www.rockinghampark.com or call (603) 898-2311, ext. 292.