from Rosecroft Raceway

Fort Washington, MD — The 66th season of live racing at Rosecroft Raceway kicks off Saturday (March 7). Racing applications for the 27-night Winter-Spring meet are now available at www.rosecroft.com under the “Horsemen” section and must be submitted for consideration by Feb. 15.

Since reopening in the fall of 2011 after a 15 month bankruptcy period, Rosecroft Raceway has shown continued improvement in its racing program. Average daily purses, which were $20,000 in 2011, are now approaching $70,000 for each live card, not including any bonus programs.

“The focus has been on providing racing and earning opportunities for Maryland based owners, horsemen and breeders,” said Christopher McErlean, Vice President of Racing for Penn National Gaming, Inc., parent company of Rosecroft. “In working with Cloverleaf Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association and the Maryland Standardbred Breeders Association we have been able to create a strong bonus and preference program to reward Maryland horsemen which has led to more investment and higher quality horses competing at Rosecroft.”

The Maryland Preferred preference system provides entry priority to qualified Maryland owners and trainers as well as horses sired, bred and foaled in the state. All Maryland preferred eligible horses are eligible to earn a 15 percent bonus on all purse earnings at Rosecroft. In the fall of 2014 more than 80 percent of the horses competing at Rosecroft were Maryland preferred eligible with those horses earning more than 80 percent of the potential purses.

“A large portion of the purses are now generated through gaming at Maryland casinos and the Maryland preferred program helps to keep those funds circulating through the Maryland economy,” said McErlean.

“Our fall meet last year had some nice momentum near the end, with total wagering on live racing up approximately six percent and our Tuesday night races on the TVG network on a regular basis. We have positioned our top class races on Tuesdays to capitalize on that niche in the simulcast marketplace.”

Qualifying races are scheduled for Saturday (Feb. 28) at 11 a.m., weather permitting. In order to qualify, applications must be submitted and approved in advance.

The Winter-Spring meet will run through Saturday (June 6) with racing every Tuesday and Saturday evening at 6:40 p.m. The 27-date Fall meet will commence Saturday (Sept. 19).