Syracuse Mile harness racing meet opens
August 11, 2005,by M. Kelly Young, executive assistant, Harness Horse Breeders of New York
Syracuse, NY — The Syracuse Mile’s expanded six-day harness racing meet opens a two weekend stand at the New York State Fairgrounds on Friday, August 12. The meet, which will distribute more than $1 million in purses, features stakes races for the best two and three-year-old horses bred in New York State.
The track’s first program on Friday is a 13-race card featuring New York-Bred Late Closer races for two-year-old trotters and pacers with total purses of $107,400. Racing continues on Saturday and Sunday, August 13 and 14, with New York Sires Stakes action, and resumes next Friday through Sunday, August 19-21. The Syracuse Mile’s signature event, the $225,000 Dr. Harry M. Zweig Memorial Trot, will close out the meet on Sunday, August 21. Several special events have been prepared this year for Syracuse Mile fans. A free handicapping seminar will be held this Saturday, August 13, at 12:00 noon under the grandstand. Dave Brower, the official handicapper at The Meadowlands racetrack in New Jersey, and Joe Zambito, the Syracuse Mile race announcer, will host this event and offer wagering advice on Saturday’s card to new and veteran handicappers alike. Children attending The Syracuse Mile will also have the opportunity to meet “Champ” under the grandstand on Saturday and Sunday during both weekends. Champ is a life-size model horse who is hitched to a sulky and accompanied by a special exhibit from the Harness Racing Museum in Goshen, N.Y. Children can learn about harness racing and also take home a special gift. Free buses are available from downtown Syracuse to The Syracuse Mile each racing day. Blue Chip Transportation buses will depart from the intersection of East Washington and Salina Streets at 12:00 noon on Fridays and at 12:00 noon and 12:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Buses will depart for the return trip from the State Fairgrounds 15 minutes after the last race daily. Post time is 1:10 p.m. daily and admission and parking are free. Pari-mutuel wagering is offered on all races. For more information on racing at The Syracuse Mile, call the track at (315) 487-7711 ext. 1390.