by Paul Verrette, for Plainridge Racecourse

Plainville MA — With the opening day of the 2006 season exactly a month away, Plainridge Racecourse has released its initial schedule of qualifying races.

The track will hold three qualifying sessions prior to its opening day, which is Monday, April 3. The first qualifiers of the season will be held on Saturday, March 25, and additional qualifying races are scheduled for Tuesday, March 28 and Saturday, April 1. Post time for each of these qualifying cards will be at 11:00 a.m.

Once the live racing schedule begins in April, qualifiers will be conducted every Tuesday at 1:00 p.m.

Next week, the track will release its schedule of special events for the upcoming season. More than 100 cards of racing are scheduled at the 2006 meet, which will run through November 26.