by Chris Roberts, director of operations, Georgian Downs
Innisfil, ON — Georgian Downs has issued a final reminder to horsepeople of the impending May 15 deadline for nominations to both of the track’s signature stakes events, The Masters Series and The Earl Rowe Memorial Cup.
The Masters Series, now in its second year, is open to Ontario-sired 4-year-olds and upward. The series offers each sex and gait two C$20,000 divisions and an estimated C$125,000 final. All of the Masters Series finals will take place on June 28, as part of Georgian Downs’ first-ever Gold Rush event.
Planning for Gold Rush has been ongoing since January. There’s no doubt that it will be the greatest night of stakes racing ever at Georgian Downs. The Masters Series is a huge part of the night. We’re looking forward to some terrific racing and over C$1 million in purses.
The Masters Series finals will combine with four C$120,000 Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Finals and four OSS Gold Consolations to form the Gold Rush event. Maters Series nominations close on May 15 and require a C$1,000 nominating fee. There are no sustaining or starting fees.
The 22nd edition of the Earl Rowe Memorial Cup has undergone a significant change in 2008 and will now be contested in seeded divisions on a single night, as opposed to an elimination/final format.
The Earl Rowe is the longest running stakes event at Georgian Downs and has a tremendous history. Unfortunately, it’s been coming up light in recent years and we’re attempting to find a way to liven up the event. This year, we’ve slotted the Earl Rowe in an off-week between two of the continent’s top trotting stakes — the $700,000 Breeders Crown and the C$700,000 Maple Leaf Trot. The best of the best will be stabling in our backyard for those two events and we’re providing an opportunity for some of those horses in an off-week.
The Earl Rowe Memorial Cup will be contested in seeded divisions on September 6 — the top money earning trotters being earmarked for the C$80,000 Gold Division, with the remaining entrants being grouped into C$40,000 Silver Divisions. A C$500 fee must accompany nominations, which close on May 15. There are no sustaining or starting fees.
Condition sheets for both stakes events can be found online at: http://www.georgiandowns.com/stake-events.htm. For more information, contact the Georgian Downs Race Office at (705) 726-2558.