from Harrah’s Chester Publicity Department

Chester, PA — The 2009 Early Closer nomination form and conditions for Harrah’s Chester Casino & Racetrack are now available online at the track’s Web site, www.harrahschester.com. The deadline for all nominations is February 15.

The first early closer of the season will be the Betsy Ross for Free-for-All pacing mares with eliminations on Sunday, April 19 and the $250,000G final on April 26. That will be followed by the Maxie Lee Memorial Free-For-All Trot eliminations on Sunday, May 24 and its $250,000G final on the following Sunday, May 31. Aged pacers go postward in the Ben Franklin $50,000 eliminations on Sunday, July 19. The eight finalists return on July 26 in the $500,000G final.

Again this season the finest 3-year-olds will assemble on Harrah’s Chester Super Stakes Sunday, which has been scheduled for August 16. The Grand Circuit racing card will feature the following events:

• The Battle of the Brandywine – 3-year-old Open Pace – $500,000G
• The Battle of the Brandywine Consolation I – $200,000G
• The Battle of the Brandywine Consolation II – $100,000G
• The Colonial – 3-year-old Open Trot – $500,000G
• The Colonial Consolation I – $200,000G
• The Colonial Consolation II – $100,000G
• The Valley Forge – 3-year-old Filly Pace – $350,000G
• The Valley Forge Consolation I – $150,000G
• The Valley Forge Consolation II – $75,000G

As it was in the previous year, 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.

New for this racing season will be four events for 2-year-olds that originated at the former Garden State Park in nearby Cherry Hill, New Jersey. Freshman trotters will have their eliminations on Sunday, August 30. The Valley Victory 2-year-old Open Trot Final will carry an estimated purse of $575,000 on Sunday, September 6. Also on the card will be the $490,000E Goldsmith Maid 2-year-old Filly Trot Final.

One week later, eliminations will be held for the Governor’s Cup 2-year-old Open Pace and the Three Diamonds 2-year-old Filly Pace. Estimated Final purses will be $650,000 for the Governor’s Cup and $475,000 for the Three Diamonds.