by Kathy Wade-Vlaar, Standardbred Canada

Mississauga, ON — Georgian Downs, in partnership with Standardbred Canada, today unveiled the condition sheet for the third edition of Xtreme Horsepower, set for August 29.

“Xtreme is the biggest party of the year at Georgian Downs. For racing fans, it offers something that can’t be seen anywhere in the world,” said Chris Roberts, Director of Racing Operations at Georgian Downs. “Of course, we’ve gone back to the drawing board to keep things fresh. Any fan of harness racing is going to want to mark their calendar.”

The 2009 condition sheet mixes the best from the earlier editions of Xtreme Horsepower with several new wrinkles. It features five 18-horse dashes, ranging in distance from 1-5/8 miles to 2-1/2 miles. The Xtreme Sprint and Xtreme Battle return at reduced distances of 1/8 miles and 5/8 miles, respectively. Add in the Xtreme Rewind, raced clockwise, and the Xtreme Shotgun, raced from a standing start, and you’ve got a card unlike any other on the planet.

“As always, Xtreme Horsepower offers something for everyone,” said Ted Smith, President and CEO of Standardbred Canada. “For the last two years, we’ve broken the mold with great success. The enthusiasm from fans and horse people has made Xtreme one of the year’s most anticipated events.”

For horse people, Xtreme Horsepower will again represent a lucrative purse option for their trotters and pacers. Total purses, including hitching fees, will amount to C$250,000. A payment of C$300 will be made to all starters that do not earn purse money.

A summary of the conditions being offered appears below.

Xtreme Battle: Speed and stamina are tested in this heat-racing showdown at five-eighths of a mile. For claiming pacers with a base price of C$12,000 or lower, two nine-horse eliminations will be carded with the top finishers returning for a C$20,000 showdown.

Xtreme Shotgun: Rapid acceleration will be key as a field of trotters cover two laps of the Georgian Downs strip from a standing start. The first horse to cover the 1-1/4 mile distance takes home the lion’s share of C$20,000.

Xtreme Mile: A conventional distance meets an unconventional field size. Fourteen pacers will cover a one-mile distance with a C$20,000 pot of gold on the line. The Xtreme Mile is open to non-winners of C$5,000 in their last five starts.

Xtreme Sprint: Blink and you’ll miss it! The Xtreme Sprint returns at a distance of about one-eighth of a mile. Open to all speed demons, a purse of C$15,000 awaits.

Xtreme Rewind: Throw the rulebook away, because this 1-1/4 mile dash is being contested clockwise. Nine horses will trot ‘the wrong way’ for a purse of C$20,000.

Xtreme Challenge: Perfect for those trotters and pacers that could ‘go around again’. We’ll add a lap to our normal one mile distance and double the number of starters for this 1-5/8 mile challenge. The Xtreme Challenge is for horses that have started for a base claiming price of C$12,000 or lower, or for non-winners of C$60,000. Separate events will be held for trotters and pacers for a purse of C$20,000.

Xtreme Marathon: For gladiators with stamina to spare, we offer the Xtreme Marathon, a three lap, 1-7/8 mile test for C$25,000. Eighteen-horse fields on both the trot and pace will duke it out for big money and xtreme prestige. The marathon is for horses that have started for a base claiming price of C$20,000 or lower, or are non-winners of C$120,000 lifetime.

Xtreme Classic: The ultimate test of endurance. We throw the door open to claiming trotters for the ‘grand daddy’ of them all — a four lap, 2-1/2 mile battle of attrition. For those up to the test, a purse of C$25,000 awaits.

“You can expect plenty of Xtreme Horsepower updates and announcements in the days ahead,” said Roberts. “This event is all about the fans and the day is absolutely filled with events and attractions for everyone.”

For more information on racing conditions, contact the Georgian Downs race office at (905) 627-0535.

Mark your calendar for August 29. Post time is 6:00 p.m.