by Sarah Cappelletti, public relations manager, Saratoga Gaming and Raceway

Saratoga Springs, NY — Friday night, February 2, marks the start of the 68th season of harness racing over the half-mile oval at Saratoga Gaming and Raceway.

The schedule for the 2007 live harness racing season features 170 programs during an 11-month campaign that runs through December 15. Winter harness racing first started in 1979 and has proven popular since its inception.

The kickoff weekend will have racing on Friday and Saturday night with a new post time of 7:00 p.m. The earlier post time is in response to a guest survey that indicated harness racing patrons would like to get home a little earlier than they have with the 13-race programs that have been the staple over the last two seasons.

The next three weeks of February, harness racing extends to a three program a week schedule with matinee cards on tap for Sunday, February 11 and Sunday, February 25 as well as the President’s Day Holiday on Monday, February 19. The matinees are in addition to the Friday and Saturday evening fare. Post time for the matinee programs will be 12:45 p.m.

Saratoga Gaming and Raceway has extended the simulcast schedule to every afternoon and Wednesday through Saturday nights. Simulcasting in the afternoon hours will continue to be located in the mezzanine with the session closing at 7:30 p.m. on Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays. Simulcasting Wednesday through Saturday evening concludes at midnight.

The Saratoga backstretch is loaded with trainers all geared up for the Friday night opener, evidenced by the 15 qualifiers contested last Friday morning.

Trainer John Stark, Jr. is back to defend his “Horseman of the Year” title and “Trainer of the Year” billing. The 48-year-old native of Buffalo, N.Y., trained 81 winners, with his stable setting a Saratoga Gaming and Raceway earning record with a bankroll of $768,064 from 306 starts, with Horse of the Year Algiers Hall leading the way.

While Stark conditions his stable at his own training center off-site, a trio of local trainers have the maximum of 30 stalls allotted to them on the Saratoga backstretch. Dave Spagnola, Brian Lamb and Mickey McGivern pack a powerful punch and are all coming off a solid ’06 season.

Scott Mongeon (28 stalls) and Brian Cross (23 stalls) are both extremely talented trainer-drivers and are usually in the top ten in both the trainer and driver standings.

Two recent U.S. Harness Writers award winners will be looking to build on their recent successes in the current meet. Jackie Rousse, the ’06 Horsewoman of the Year with 49 victories, has expanded her stable to 20 horses. Ron Cushing, voted the Johnny Page Award for up-and-coming driver in ’06, has relocated his stable of 20 and has quality stock to contend in the upper classes.

Dan Cappello, Jr. is back to defend his driving title, coming off a record performance of 302 victories in 2006 and earnings of $1,862,845. The 47-year-old teamster also conditions a select stable and will be looking to win his sixth consecutive driving title at the Spa oval.

The purse structure is expected to reach $13 million this season with the “Opens” going for $17,000 at the start of the meet.

“Our purses have grown dramatically since the VGM legislation was implemented in 2004 and everyone has benefited from it,” said Director of Racing Operations John Matarazzo. “Our racing fans are receiving a better quality and more competitive product and the increased purses have renewed ownership interest in the sport.”

Fortunes, the clubhouse dining room, will be featuring the $14.95 Prime Rib Buffet as well as a full menu each racing night. Parking and admission are always free at Saratoga Gaming and Raceway.