by Nick Salvi, executive director, The Classic Series

The 2008 edition of the $2 million Classic Series (TCS) will kick off at Dover Downs on Monday, April 7, with $85,000 (est.) divisions for all four divisions of older trotters and pacers.

The second leg will be raced at Mohawk Racetrack on Saturday, May 31, and the series will wrap up at The Meadowlands with leg three on July 19 and the $250,000 finals the following Saturday as part of the Hambletonian elimination card at The Big M.

The series annually provides many exciting moments and match-ups among the top older horses in the sport. Last year’s final winners included 2007 Dan Patch honorees Vivid Photo (Trotting Classic) and Moving Pictures (Classic Distaff). Boulder Creek’s Pacing Classic final win gave him a remarkable three consecutive series championships and Buck I St Pat swept through all three legs and the final of the Classic Oaks without tasting defeat.

TCS offers great value to nominators, requiring a single nomination payment to gain eligibility to three $85,000 (est.) legs and a chance at making the $250,000 final. Another interesting statistic is that over the past five seasons (2003–2007) the average earnings per starter in all TCS races (legs and finals) is over $15,000, a truly remarkable return on your staking investment.

Nominations for the 2008 Classic Series must be mailed to The Hambletonian Society and postmarked no later than February 15, 2008. Information on nomination levels, series conditions, history and 2008 forms are available at www.theclassicseries.com or by calling TCS Executive Director Nick Salvi at (954) 871-6013.