by Moira Fanning, publicity director, the Hambletonian Society

Cranbury, NJ — The $5.4 million in early closers hosted by Harrah’s Chester Casino & Racetrack will be administered by the Hambletonian Society in 2009.

Nomination forms for all events are available at the Hambletonian Society Web site at http://hambletonian.org/payments.html#feb2008 and at the track’s Web site, www.harrahschester.com.

The deadline for all 2- and 3-year-old nominations to these races is February 15. The Hambletonian Society currently administers or owns 139 of the richest and most prestigious events in harness racing.

The glittering array of events for every age, gait and gender will commence in April with the Betsy Ross for open pacing mares, followed by the Maxie Lee Memorial for open trotters. Open pacers take the stage in the Ben Franklin in July.

In August, the Roarin’ Grand pulls into Harrah’s Chester as the five-eighths-mile oval conducts their Super Stake Sunday. The Grand Circuit racing card will feature The Battle of the Brandywine for 3-year-old pacers, The Colonial for 3-year-old trotters and the Valley Forge for 3-year-old filly pacers, as well as a pair of consolations for each event.

As in previous years, placement in either the main events or consolations will be determined according to 2009 seasonal earnings as of the draw day for the racing card.

Harrah’s Chester also hosts the Final Four, the quartet of 2-year-old events that originated at the former Garden State Park in nearby Cherry Hill, New Jersey. The Valley Victory and Goldsmith Maid for 2-year-old trotters and the Governor’s Cup and Three Diamonds for 2-year-old pacers have traditionally been key factors in deciding divisional honors and have been hosted previously by the Meadowlands and Woodbine Racetracks.

For a complete schedule of events at Harrah’s Chester Racetrack and Casino visit www.harrahschester.com/casinos/harrahs-chester/casino-misc/ccr-stakes-detail.html.