Lebanon, OH — Miami Valley Raceway is busy readying for its sixth season of live harness racing when the calendar turns to 2019. The 87-day meet will begin on Friday (Jan. 4) and end on Monday (May 6), with an initial qualifying session slated for Wednesday, (Jan. 2) to kick the season off. The normal racing schedule throughout the meet will be 2:05 (EST) matinees on Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays and 6:05 p.m. programs on Fridays and Saturdays.

Trace Tetrick won the 2017 edition of the North American Drivers championship at Miami Valley. Conrad photo.

Among the many highlights will be the third annual North America Drivers Championship which will pit 30 of the continent’s finest drivers in a head-to-head three-day competition Jan. 6-8. All top drivers throughout the United States and Canada are welcome to apply to participate by filling out the application that can be found at: www.miamivalleygaming.com, using the “Racing” and then “Horsemens Info” tabs. If more than 30 apply, the field will be limited to those with the most career victories, including a minimum of 100 wins in 2018.

Inaugural winner Doug McNair and last year’s winner Trace Tetrick are both expected to return and chase a share of the $25,000 in prize money.

Entry blanks are also available on the MVG website for most of the late-closing series offered during the meet, as well as ship-in applications and other pertinent information regarding the rapidly approaching 2019 season. Trainers interested in racing must first submit a ship-in application and a waiver of liability form before entering. The popular January “Claim To Fame” late closers commence the second week of the 2019 season and nominations must be received by Saturday (Jan. 5).

Condition sheets for the first week of racing at Miami Valley have also been posted on the USTA website, including information on the preferences granted to Ohio-sired and Ohio-owned horses. A double draw will take place on New Year’s Day (Tues., Jan. 1) for both the Friday and Saturday programs on opening weekend.

Prior to Jan. 1, inquiries or questions can be directed to the race secretary at: greggkeidel@yahoo.com.