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 be presented at the 21st annual International Simulcast Conference, held this year in Lexington, Ky. The deadline for all entries is Friday (August 16).

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 presentation 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 Oct. 7-9 at the Hilton Lexington/Downtown.

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 13, 2012.

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 Friday (August 16).

Last year, Simulcast Award judges declared a tie between Keeneland and Woodbine. It was the fifth award for both tracks, the Kentucky track having previously won in 2003, 2008, 2009 and 2011 and Woodbine in 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2010. Other previous winners include 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).