by Jane Murray, Director of Services, Thoroughbred Racing Associations of North America

Elkton, MD — The award honoring the racing industry’s best simulcast production will again be presented at the 18th annual International Simulcast Conference held this year in Clearwater Beach, Fla. The deadline for all entries is Friday, August 13.

The International Simulcast Conference is co-sponsored by the Thoroughbred Racing Associations and Harness Tracks of America, in conjunction with the American Greyhound Track Operators Association.

The award honors the best simulcast telecast by a host site and is open to all pari-mutuel breeds. The simulcast entry will be judged on technical merit, quality, and timeliness of racing and wagering information dissemination, as well as overall appeal.

The winner will be announced and presented the award at the conference, which runs September 20-22 at the Sheraton Sand Key Resort.

Entries for the award must be no more than 30 minutes in length and contain one complete race presentation, including pre-race features and graphics, the race itself, and any post-race replays and/or wrap-ups. Entries must have been part of a normal simulcast program and not a collection of highlights or features and have aired after August 21, 2009.

Tracks may submit a “marquee” race but will not be given special consideration for the extra “bells and whistles” employed for that day. This award is meant to recognize the track which day-in, day-out consistently produces the premier simulcast feed.

To enter, six copies in DVD format should be sent to TRA, 420 Fair Hill Drive, Suite 1, Elkton, MD 21921, along with a letter of entry detailing the contact name for the entry and the date the program aired. All entries must be received by August 13.

Last year, the Simulcast Award was presented to Keeneland for the third time, having previously won the award in 2003, 2008-9. Previous winners were Woodbine (2004, 2006-7), Churchill Downs (1997), Turfway Park (1998), Penn National (1999), Santa Anita Park (2000-1), Hollywood Park (2002), Del Mar Thoroughbred Club (2005), and Los Alamitos (2007).