by Tom Kelley, publicity director, Balmoral Park

Crete, IL — While the live racing nights of Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday will remain the same there will be a few slight changes at Balmoral Park, the biggest of which is the new starting time of 7:10 p.m. (CST) instead of the old 6:30 p.m. post time for the Sunday night programs beginning this Sunday, Jan. 2.

That means post time for all three live racing nights will be at 7:10 p.m. The reason for the shift on Sunday was a reduction from the normal 12-race card to a 10-race card.

“We felt that with the shift to a 10-race program the time slot our races would fall into would be a better fit,” explained Balmoral Park General Manager Mike Belmonte. “It’s really about product placement and starting at 7:10 p.m. will help us maximize that.”

While keeping most of its current gimmick schedule intact Balmoral has moved its $1 Pick 3 Wager to Races 4-5-6 each night. It had previously been offered on the final three races of the card each night.

The 2011 racing season gets underway on Saturday, Jan. 1, and runs through Saturday, Dec. 31. There will be no live racing on Sunday, Feb. 6 (Super Bowl), Sunday, April 24 (Easter), Saturday, Dec. 24 and Sunday, Dec. 25 (Christmas Eve and Christmas Day).

Another reminder for fans of the Chicago harness product, please keep in mind that Maywood Park’s New Year’s Eve 14-race program will have a special post time of 6:30 p.m. (CST).