from the Meadowlands Media Relations Department

East Rutherford, NJ — Susan Sommer-Luarca — Official Artist of the 2013 Hambletonian — has been invited by the Meadowlands Racetrack to paint live at the at Hambletonian Stakes, scheduled for Saturday (Aug. 3).

The 88th Hambletonian will be telecast live on CBS Sports Network.

Susan Sommer-Luarca’s commemorative painting will be donated to the Standardbred Retirement Foundation and be auctioned off to support its great work.

Jason Settlemoir, GM of Meadowlands Racetrack, stated, “It is thrilling that such an accomplished artist as Susan Sommer-Luarca will be the official artist of the 2013 Hambletonian.”

Jeff Gural, Chairman of New Meadowlands, LLC, stated, “We are excited that artist Susan Sommer-Luarca will paint live at the 2013 Hambletonian — and capture the final Hambletonian at the racetrack as we have known it since it was opened in September 1976. We are equally looking forward to Susan capturing on her canvas the new Meadowlands Racetrack’s state-of-the-art racing and entertainment venue scheduled to have its grand opening on Saturday (Nov. 23).”

Susan Sommer-Luarca stated from her studio in Springfield, Mo., “I can’t wait to paint live at the 2013 Hambletonian at the Meadowlands Racetrack. I am confident that I will capture the magic and energy of such a classic race. I understand it’s a historic racing day because it’s the final day of racing of the Hambletonian at this 36-year-old racetrack. But I am excited and looking forward to painting at the new Meadowlands Racetrack that’s opening in a few months — it’s going to be the most amazing racetracks in the U.S. at which to paint live!”

For additional information on Susan Sommer-Luarca, visit www.sslworldwide.com.

2013 Hambletonian Day

Hambletonian Day — harness racing’s greatest day — features the $1.2 million Hambletonian and $500,000 Hambletonian Oaks. The 2013 Hambletonian will once again feature heat racing as conducted from 1991-1996, with eliminations and the final on the same day.

Hambletonian Day has something great for everyone in the family: an epic sporting event, free outdoor concert, rides and games, and of course, great giveaways. Each attendee will receive an official 2013 commemorative Hambletonian hat (baseball caps for adults; bucket hats for children).

Paddock Park events include:

• Live music by The Nerds — 12 noon to 4 p.m.
• Moon bounce, rock wall, carnival rides and games
• Live WFAN remote with Marc “Moose” Malusis
• Night School tour fan education tent at the Wedge
• Pony rides — 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Face painters under the Park tent — 11 a.m. to 4:30 p .m.
• Character appearances: Hambo Tony

For more information about Hambletonian Day, visit www.meadowlandsracetrack.com/hambletonian/.

Fans can follow all the action at meadowlandsracetrack.com, Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr and on Twitter at #Hambo13.

To access the CBS Sports Network channel finder, go to www.cbssportsnetwork.com.