from Miami Valley Raceway

Lebanon, OH — Miami Valley Raceway is positioned for an outstanding repeat performance including an even higher overnight purse structure than last season making the meet one of the highest purse structures in harness racing.

Following a fourth season of record handle and purse growth, high expectations among horsemen and fans have become the new standard. More than $14 million in purses will be offered within the 87-day meet which is sure to foster competitive racing with great wagering value.

Ohio’s premier boutique harness meet begins Jan. 5 and continues through May 7, five days a week, featuring Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday matinees at 2:05 p.m. and evening racing Friday and Saturday at 6:05 p.m. Plan now to be in on the action.

OHHA representative Brett Merkle said, “In the eyes of the horsemen, Miami Valley comes the closest to the vibe generations before us knew racing to be: good times, amazing people, such a pleasure to race in a positive atmosphere.”

The North American Drivers Challenge II kicks off Miami Valley’s Winter Festival on Jan. 7, 8 and 9. North America’s top drivers will compete for $25,000 in awards as 2017 champion Doug McNair defends his title.

Multiple events are planned to foster outstanding racing and wagering value for horsemen and fans. Cornerstones of this year’s Winter Festival include:

• $700,000 (est.) Claim to Fame Series: 10 lucrative series for $5,000, $8,000, $12,500 and $20,000 claimers
• $200,000 (est.) Elite Survivor Series: Brand new three-week elimination tourney to crown best $10,000 claimer
• $200,000 (est.) Classic Survivor Series: Popular annual four-week elimination tourney for $5,000 claimers
• $600,000 (est.) Lebanon Legends Series: nine conditioned series honoring notable former SW Ohio horsemen

April ushers in Miami Valley’s Spring Festival building to the traditional season finale of the Ohio Sire Stakes leading towards Grand Circuit racing and the return of the Scarlet and Gray invitational.

• $150,000 (est.) James Hackett Memorial for fillies: traditional tune-up for 3-year-old stakes season
• $150,000 (est.) James Hackett Memorial for colts: traditional tune-up for 3-year-old stakes season
• $200,000 (est.) Spring Scarlet & Gray Invitational races: Ohio’s best 3-year-olds head-to-head
• $500,000 (est.) Ohio Sires Stakes for 3-year-old fillies: first major test of the 2017 stakes season
• $500,000 (est.) Ohio Sires Stakes for 3-year-old colts: first major test of the 2017 stakes season
• $100,000 (est.) Grand Circuit-Chip Noble Memorial: the best pacing mares in the world
• $100,000 (est.) Grand Circuit-Miami Valley Distaff: the best trotting mares in the world

The voice himself, Roger Huston, says, “Miami Valley Raceway has emerged as a big league track with a small town feel.” and “One of my favorite ovals period……Be there!”