by Scott Miller, for Sunshine Meadows

Delray Beach, FL — What do two Florida State Senators, a professional race car driver and a television sports director all have in common? All four of these professionals will be casting aside their normal vocations and become harness horse drivers on Saturday (Sept. 13) at the inaugural Sunshine Stakes at Sunshine Meadows Equestrian Village in Delray Beach, Fla.

State Senators Joseph Abruzzo (D-Palm Beach) and Marie Sachs (D-Palm Beach/Broward counties), local professional race car driver Tristan Nunez and Palm Beach TV 12’s sports director, Matt Lincoln, will all compete in a one mile harness horse race as part of the festivities at Sunshine Meadows.

Nunez will also be bringing his Mazda Prototype Lites race car that will be on display.

In addition to the celebrity race, there will be more than $50,000 in stakes races held at the training facility on Sept. 13 and Sept. 20. The races are sponsored by the Florida Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association and are for 2- and 3-year-old trotters and pacers.

In addition to the celebrity race and the Sunshine Stakes events, it will be a free country fair atmosphere at Sunshine Meadows. Everyone is invited to come out and bring your lawn chairs (there is only grass seating). First race post time is 11 a.m. Rain date is the next day (Sunday).

There will be free admission and parking, food trucks, vendor booths (free for 501c3 charities), arts and crafts, equine displays, pony rides and a children’s fun zone.

“We wanted to show our community what a great facility we have,” said Brandon Mills, general manager at Sunshine Meadows. “And what better way than a real country fair with horse racing, displays, children’s events and now a great local celebrity race. People don’t know that we have nearly 200 acres hidden away here right off route 441 that is home to more than 600 harness racing and equestrian horses, many of whom are world champions. I hope that everyone will come out and have some fun.”

Any vendors or 501c3 charity groups interested in being part of the two Sunshine Stakes days should contact Scott Miller at Sunshine Meadows Equestrian Village by calling 561.281.7659 or e-mailing sunshinemeadowsharness@gmail.com. Their website is www.sunshinemeadows.info.