Berlin. MD — Preparations for the opening night of racing at Ocean Downs are being finalized as the vacationland oval on the eastern shore of Maryland opens its 76th year of harness racing on Sunday (May 25).
Racing will be held on a 48-day, Sunday-Monday-Wednesday schedule to start (no racing on Memorial Day) with the season ending Wednesday (Sept. 3). Tuesdays will be added for the entire month of July.
Post time has been moved up to 6:40 p.m. for the season.
Qualifiers starting the meet will be held on Wednesday (May 21) at 10 a.m. Declare by 10 a.m. on Monday (May 19). After that, all qualifiers will be held prior to racing on Wednesdays with a special 5 p.m. start. Declare to qualify for Wednesday (May 28) by 10 a.m. on Monday (May 26). Afterwards, the qualifying box closes at 6 p.m. on Mondays, beginning June 2.
Horsemen are reminded to adhere to the draw schedule and condition sheet posted on the USTA website. The first draw will be held Wednesday (May 21). Please declare by 9 a.m.
Racing applications are available at the Ocean Downs website (www.oceandowns.com) and must be accepted prior to racing. For further information, please contact race secretary Crystal Lilley at 410.641.0600, ext. 3212.