by Matt Sparacino, publicity director, Harrington Raceway

Harrington, DE — Harrington Raceway’s 64th season of live harness racing will get underway on Sunday, April 18. Post time is 5:30 p.m.

A variety of promotions will kick off the season, including a hat giveaway at 5 p.m. as well as the traditional Family Fun Day, featuring pony rides, face painting and a petting zoo.

Fotowon photo

Ladyfield was the 2009 Horse of the Meet at Harrington Raceway.

A 15-race card will be contested on the track featuring last year’s leading driver Tony Morgan and leading trainer Tim Crissman, as well as many of the sport’s top drivers, horses and trainers. Racing will continue through July 1 on a Sunday through Thursday schedule.

There will be one day of racing during the summer break, during the Delaware State Fair on July 29. Delaware’s top owned and bred horses will be showcased with total purses of nearly $800,000 for the program. A special post time of 11 a.m. is held for the Governor’s Day of racing during the Delaware State Fair.

Racing will get back into full swing on August 15 before the track’s signature event, the Bobby Quillen Memorial, will be contested beginning with eliminations on September 13 and the $315,000 (est.) final on September 20. Last year’s event was won by Won The West. The previous three Quillen events have featured some of the sport’s top older pacers and stars of the sport, including the likes of Mister Big, Western Ace, Jereme’s Jet, and Maltese Artist, among others.