by Chris Tully, general manager, Goshen Historic Track

Goshen, NY — Applications are available on-line for the second annual Goshen Historic Track High School Scholarship Races on Sunday, June 6.

Through the foresight and hard work of local horseman Ray Schnittker, the inaugural event helped raise over $40,000 for local students and school districts last year. This year’s event promises to be even bigger and better than our hugely successful maiden race in 2009, in which eight separate area school districts were represented including Middletown, Goshen, Chester, Florida, Monroe-Woodbury, Washingtonville, Port Jervis and Monticello.

Students who participate are given the opportunity to ride in a two-seated jog cart during an actual exhibition harness race. The sulky will be driven by a professional harness driver and will be pulled by an experienced racehorse. The event is open only to high school seniors. To be considered for the event, interested students must fill out an application and write a 250-word essay. The student who is selected will be eligible to win scholarship funds for themselves and for their school district based upon their horse’s performance in the race.

Do not delay, these spots are sure to fill up fast with thousands of scholarship dollars being offered. The deadline for receipt of the application and essay is May 15.

In addition, Goshen Historic Track will be offering a special “school spirit” scholarship. During the races, each school will be prompted to cheer for their designated participating student. The school with the loudest and/or with the most students in attendance will win the $1,000 “school spirit” scholarship which will be paid directly to the district. Admission to the races on Youth Day is free for students 18 and under.

For more information go to the track’s website, www.goshenhistorictrack.com, and download the PDF application. No phone calls regarding scholarship applications will be accepted.

Goshen Historic Track, a National Historic Landmark, is located at 44 Park Place in the heart of the Cradle of the Trotter, Goshen, New York. A year-round Standardbred training facility, Historic Track will host Matinee racing on the first three Sundays in June (6, 13 and 20). In addition, The World’s Oldest Harness Track will celebrate 100 years of Grand Circuit racing July 2 through July 5, in conjunction with Goshen’s Great American Weekend.