by Tom Kelley, publicity director, Balmoral Park

Crete, IL — The Chicagoland area 2007 harness racing season kicks off on Wednesday evening (Jan. 3) as Balmoral Park presents a big 11-race program. Post time for the opener is 7:20 p.m.

There will be plenty of changes to start the year at Balmoral Park. First and foremost is a host of wagering changes designed to give the fans a chance to win a lot of money for a minimal investment.

The first “new” wager being offered is a unique 50 Cent Pick 5 each racing night. The 50 Cent Pick Five will be presented on races seven thru 11 each night. If no one correctly selects all five winners from those races there will be a carryover pool going into the next racing night.

Balmoral Park will replace its Dime Superfecta with a new 50 Cent Superfecta wager. Once again if no one correctly selects the winning Superfecta there will be a carryover into the next Superfecta race.

There will also be 50 Cent Pick Four wagering offered this season. The Pick 4 will entail races three thru six each night. On the Saturday afternoon cards a second Pick 4, consisting of races seven thru 10, will replace the 50 Cent Pick 5.

Quinella wagering also returns to Balmoral Park for the first time in some two decades as the Crete plant offers a $5 Quinella wager on race six every day and night.

As in 2006 Balmoral Park will continue to offer Exacta, Trifecta and Superfecta wagering on every live race when applicable.

There are also some changes to the racing schedule that fans need to be aware of. Through the first seven weeks of the year Balmoral Park will race on Wednesdays (7:20 p.m.), Saturdays (2:30 p.m & 7:20 p.m.) and Sundays (6:30 p.m.).

The Saturday matinee cards will be Family Fun Saturdays and they get underway this Saturday, January 6. Qualifying legs of the $25,000 Chicagoland Harness Handicapping Challenge will be held each Saturday afternoon with the top 10 finishers each week moving on to the finals. The top two finishers in that finale will then get the chance to move on to the Meadowlands for the National Harness Handicapping Championships on April 21, courtesy of Balmoral Park.

There will also be plenty of food specials on Saturday afternoons including a $9.95 All-You-Can-Eat Buffet in the Balmoral Club Dining Room. Family Fun Days will also give kids a chance to enjoy themselves. A Kids Clinic offering demonstrations and activities regarding horse care and horse racing will be conducted before the start of each Saturday matinee card. There will also be a Kids Corner featuring a Petting Zoo, Face Painters and an Inflatable Playground.

For more details on all of the fun and excitement at Balmoral Park, log on to our website at www.balmoralpark.com or call (708) 672-1414.