from the SOA of New York

Yonkers, NY — The Standardbred Owners Association of New York (SOA), representing the over 1,000 owners, drivers and trainers regularly competing at Yonkers Raceway and the management of Empire City at Yonkers Raceway are pleased to announce the conditions for the 2009 Empire City Claiming Series.

The series, open only to trainers who raced 20 or more starts at the Hilltop Oval in 2003, was put together for those horsemen who filled the entry box during the lean times before video lottery terminals were installed. Additionally, the series is limited to horses that have started for a base claiming price of not less than $7,500 and not more than $10,000 from June 1 through July 25. This condition is meant to assist those horsemen now facing the decision of what to do with such stock, as $7,500 claimers will not be offered at Yonkers starting September 1.

“This series serves a twofold purpose of providing regulars, who remained faithful to the New York industry when the future looked uncertain, an opportunity to race for a good purse while providing them with a chance to demonstrate that their $7,500 horses are competitive at the new $10,000 claiming minimum. Yonkers has raised the claiming minimum as the quality of the horse population at Yonkers has dramatically improved,” said SOA President Joe Faraldo.

The legs are scheduled to go for $15,000, with $30,000 for the consolation and $50,000-plus for the final. The declaration fee is $100.

There are stringent requirements regarding qualified trainers’ care, custody and control over potential nominees in this late closer.

Eligible horsemen are encouraged to review all the conditions of the series by logging on to the SOA Web site at www.soaofny.com.