A reminder, MSOA members are eligible to receive a discount at the Cambria Suites, Meadow Lands.

Be sure to mention the MSOA when booking by phone at 724-223-5555.

The Cambria Suites is located at 451 Racetrack Road.

Trainer Bill Zendt, driver Brian Zendt, and the Cameron family’s Cam Land LLC will send Cammikey into the 2014 Adios Eliminations at The Meadows.

Bill Zendt sat down and talked about his homegrown sophomore pacer in a video interview.

CLICK HERE to watch.

Meadows based trainer Norm Parker sends Mattamerican into Saturday’s Adios Pace eliminations for owner Bob Key.  Parker took time to talk about his 3YO Allamerican Native pacer in an interview produced by Jeff Zidek for The Meadows.

(During the interview, 4YO pacer Dew N Doughnuts attempts to steal the spotlight. Dew N Doughnuts competed in the 2013 Adios for the Parker Stable).

See the video HERE.

The Meadows Standardbred Owners Association is pleased to announce that seven students will share more than $11,000 in MSOA scholarships as they continue their educations this fall.

Garrett Adams, son of John and Lisa Dunn-Adams, has been named the winner of the $5,000 MSOA Scholarship. He will attend the University of Pittsburgh this fall.

The $2,500 MSOA/CSC Insurance Options Scholarship has been awarded to Alyssa Cummings, daughter of Todd and Tammy Cummings. She attends Community College of Allegheny County.

A $1,800 MSOA/Hypnotic Blue Chip Scholarship, via a donation of a breeding to the stallion, goes to Hallie Nesselroad, daughter of Joe and Janet Nesselroad. She attends the Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine.

The $1,000 MSOA/LCM Nutraceuticals Dr. Barry Betts Memorial Scholarhip has been split between Ryan Bush and Chelsea Fahy. Bush, the son of Steve and Kim Bush, will attend Washington & Jefferson College, while Fahy is a student at the Ohio State University’s School of Veterinary Medicine.

A $1,000 MSOA/Tom Ridge Scholarship, also created through the donation of breedings to the stallion, will be shared by Shannon Teed and Courtney Wrenn. Teed is a student at West Liberty State University, while Wrenn attends Indiana University.

“The MSOA would like to congratulate all of this year’s recipients, and thank all of our partners, Tom Svrcek of CSC Insurance, Dr. Larry Smith of LCM Nutraceuticals, Fran Azur and Ted Tomson,” said MSOA President Rich Gillock. “Without their help, none of this would be possible, and we believe it is valuable to help these young people work toward their future. We are proud to be part of that.”

The Meadows Standardbred Owners Association hosted a well-received Back To The Track Night at The Meadows Racetrack & Casino on July 11.

In addition to great racing action featuring seven Pennsylvania Sire Stake races on a 15-race card, there were plenty of activities for everyone.

For the kids, there was a bounce house, slide and obstacle course, a balloon and airbrush artist, a juggler on stilts and a petting zoo.

Free racing programs were available courtesy of the MSOA, along with free hot dogs, ice cream and more giveaways with the MSOA’s “Spin To Win” wheel.  After each race, the winning driver tossed USTA Back To The Track t-shirts to fans along the apron level.

The USTA’s Harness Racing Bingo was a big hit among race fans, as were jog cart rides, paddock tours and starting gate rides.  New Vocations Horse Adoption was on hand as well, showing fans what retired Standardbreds can do as pleasure horses.

Potential new horse owners were given a unique chance to get an inside view of the sport thanks to a special promotion that left one lucky fan the honorary owner of pacer Sam Hill for the next few weeks.  Trained by John Sullivan for owner Don Tiger, Sam Hill has been one of the top horses at The Meadows for the past two seasons, winning multiple Preferred events and setting a track record.  The new “owner” will get to visit the horse in the barn, get weekly updates from trainer Sullivan, and have special “owners only” access on Adios Day, July 26.

 The night was a total success for both the MSOA and the track, resulting in one of the highest on-track handles of the season.

The Meadows Standardbred Owners Association teamed with Variety Pittsburgh’s “My Bike” program, hosting a special night of racing at The Meadows Racetrack & Casino on Friday, July 11.

The evening included a special match race that benefitted the group, and the MSOA ended the night with the announcement that the group is purchasing an adaptive bike for a local child.

Variety (http://www.varietypittsburgh.org) provides adaptive bikes to eligible children with disabilities so that they may have the freedom of a bike and the joy of riding alongside friends and family.

“This was a special night for everyone involved,” said MSOA President Rich Gillock. “It’s always great to give back to the community, and to work with Variety on their My Bike program was a great experience for all of us at the MSOA.”

Variety’s My Bike program launched in 2012, and their supporters include State Senator Tim Solobay and State Representative Brandon Neuman. Both were on hand to take part in the match race, along with PNC Bank executive Andrea Carelli and former Pittsburgh Steeler Mike Schneck, also Variety Pittsburgh supporters.

The Meadows Racetrack & Casino also announced that it will match the MSOA’s contribution by donating another bike to the program.

Photo: PNC’s Andrea Carelli and State Representative Brandon Neuman along with a recipient of one of Variety’s bikes at The Meadows on July 11. Photo by Tommy Vosick, Jr.

Newly appointed Pennsylvania Harness Racing Commission Chairman, Jonathan Newman, along with Commissioners C. Edward Rogers and Noah Wenger invites all horsemen to come to the Triple Crown Banquet Room at The Meadows Racetrack and Casino on Friday, July 25, 2014 at 1:00 p.m.

The purpose of the forum is to meet and discuss harness racing in Pennsylvania.

On July 5, two members of our harness racing family, Michelle Venneri and Becky Hess lost their home and all contents to a horrific fire.

The MSOA and the Chaplaincy program are asking that horsemen and friends contribute to a fund to help restore their finances and household items that need to be replaced.

Contributions or items may be dropped off at the MSOA Office at The Meadows, in the paddock kitchen or to Pastor Joe.

Those wishing to mail contributions, please mail to: MSOA, PO Box 253, Meadow Lands, PA 15347

For further info, call the MSOA at 724-228-3644

The Meadows’ Race Office has updated the track’s Horse Approval Guidelines, effective June 24, 2014.

CLICK HERE for full details.

Effective: June 25, 2014….Any horse claimed at The Meadows must rise up in base claiming price by a minimum of 15% or higher for a period of 10 days from the date claimed. As with the 30 day rule, day 1 will start with the date of the claim. The 10 days must be expired from race date to race date to lower in claiming price.

A)  Claimed horses may enter condition races where eligible.

B)  Claimed horses claimed out of the highest claiming races offered for its sex and/or gait may re-enter for the highest claiming price offered.
 
 
 
All horses are still subject to the claiming Rules and Regulations of the PSHC and The Meadows. This policy maybe amended or changed without notice.
 
Revised 6/24/2014.

The Meadows Race Office advises horsemen of the following dates/times that the main track will be closed:

- Friday, July 4 through Sunday morning, July 6
- Saturday, August 2
- Sunday, August 17 from 9AM-6PM
- Saturday, August 23