by Lynne Snierson, publicity director, Rockingham Park

Salem, NH — The curtain is set to rise on the 2009 live harness racing season at Rockingham Park on Saturday (June 6), and the day also features the simulcast of the $1 million Belmont Stakes which is the third jewel in Thoroughbred racing’s prestigious Triple Crown.

Rockingham Park, now in its 103rd season, is looking forward to an outstanding season of live racing. With many of the powerhouse stables returning from last year and new competitors arriving from all over the East Coast and Canada, the meet promises plenty of quality horses and full fields throughout August 30.

One of the new faces on the backside this year will be very familiar to harness racing fans in New England and all over the continent. Bruce Ranger, who holds all of the Standardbred driving records at The Rock and is a member of the New England Harness Writers Hall of Fame, will be back to compete for the first full season since 2004.

Ranger, who virtually owned the Rockingham winner’s circle in 2003-04, recorded the most wins at one harness meet (215) and the most seconds at one harness meet (126) in 2004. On July 17 of that year, he won eight races on a single card, which is more than any other harness driver or Thoroughbred jockey in Rockingham history. Moreover, Ranger also had multiple seven- and six-win days during that summer.

Through May 31, Ranger ranked 46th in North America in the driver’s standings with 122 wins, 115 seconds, and 84 thirds from 688 starts in 2009 and he had earned $777, 535 in purses.

Ranger will challenge for leading honors with a host of talented drivers including David Ingraham, who topped the standings here in 2005-06; John Hogan; Richard Wojcio; Jim Hardy; and Walter Ross, Jr. Some of those vying for the top training prize include Arthur Brewer; Kelly Case; Dawn Anderson; Peter Blood; Warren Harp; Fred Cohen; Diane Hellen; Linda Kakaley; Rich LaCava; and Gaston Grande.

The action kicks off on Saturday, with a special post time of 11:35 a.m. for the full card Thoroughbred simulcast from New York’s Belmont Park. The Belmont Stakes, headlined by Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird and his jockey Calvin Borel, will go off at approximately 6:27 p.m.

Rockingham’s first of 11 races is slated for 1:05 p.m. on Saturday and the featured event on the card carries a $10,000 purse for pacers. The first $5,000 leg of the Mountain Skipper series for 3- and 4-year-old pacing colts and geldings is prominent on the undercard.

Every paid admission over 18 will receive a free season pass through June 14. Live racing will be conducted four days per week on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays this season with post time at 1:05 p.m.

The centerpieces of the summer racing season are the $30,000 New Hampshire Sweepstakes on Saturday, June 20, and the $30,000 Joseph Carney Memorial Trot on Sunday, August 30. The highlight of the summer promotional schedule is the Pepsi Family Fun Day, with free pony rides and children’s entertainment plus the chance to win great prizes like Red Sox tickets, on Sunday, July 13.

Along with live racing during the 50-day meet, Rockingham offers full card Thoroughbred, harness, and greyhound simulcasting seven days and seven nights per week. Local charities benefit from poker, craps, blackjack, and roulette seven days of the week and Bingo is held five nights per week.

For more information, visit www.rockinghampark.com or call 603.898.2311.