The Meadows Racetrack has announced its schedule of Early and Late Closing Series for 2012.  Nominations for all series have a deadline of February 15, and the nominating fee is $200.

Eight events will be slated for the spring.

For details, CLICK HERE.

Important Notice Regarding Retirement Information

The MSOA advises its members of the following...there will be Retirement Sign-Up and Information Meetings for Grooms, Trainers and Drivers on these dates:

Wednesday, February 15  (12Noon to 3PM) - in the MSOA Office

Thursday, February 16  (12Noon to 3PM) - in the MSOA Office

Representatives of the MSOA Retirement Team (Janney, Montgomery, Scott and Dunbar, Bender and Zapf) will be available to sign up grooms and to answer questions for drivers and trainers regarding retirement issues.

Qualifications:  Grooms need to sign up or renew MSOA Associate Membership ($5.00) and bring in Groom's License and W-2s and/or Form 1099s to calculate income for 2011.

Retirement qualifications MUST BE COMPLETED by the February 16 meeting.

For additional information, stop by the MSOA Office or call 724-228-3644.

Race Office Notification Regarding Overnights

From the Meadows Race Office:  Effective Immediately....Any horse racing in an overnight event at The Meadows and leaves to race in an overnight event at another track, such horse is subject to the Racing Secretaries classification when returning.

Watch Meadows Races LIVE on your Smartphone

The MSOA would like to inform its members that you can now watch Meadows races LIVE on your smartphones, via Xpressbet.

The entire Meadows Live show can be viewed, along with video from many other racetracks.

This new service is available for Xpressbet customers with DROID, iPHONE or BLACKBERRY phones.  All tracks shown by Xpressbet are available, just like watching from your home computer.

Wagering via a smartphone app is also available.

For more information, visit:  http://www.xpressbet.com/mobile.

Renew Your Membership for 2012

Applications for MSOA Membership for 2012 are now available.  Click on the appropriate link below to download forms:

2012 MEMBERSHIP

2012 ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP

Bercury elected to MSOA Board

The Meadows Standardbred Owners Association announces that William Bercury has been elected to its Board of Directors following a vote by the General Membership.

Bercury, a longtime owner, trainer and driver from Slippery Rock, PA, replaces owner/trainer John McMullen.  "We would like to thank John for his service to the MSOA Board," said Executive Director Kim Hankins.  "He has done a great job for the horsemen."

Newly-elected Bercury has been a mainstay at The Meadows for decades, training horses that he owns with his wife, Renee.

Chinese Auction rasies over $20,000

The 2:00 Club and the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association would like to thank everyone for their support of the 23rd Annual Chinese Auction for Charity, which was held this past Sunday at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Meadow Lands, PA.

Over 300 people were in attendance in the standing-room only crowd, with more than 175 donated items up for grabs.  The final tally shows that a record $20,510 was raised, up more than 33% from 2010.

“We’ve come a long way from our beginnings in the 1980s with this event,” said organizer Janet Campbell of the 2:00 Club for horse owners.  “The support we received from everyone was tremendous.”

The event raises money for a number of charities, including The Meadows’ Chaplaincy Program, the Washington (PA) City Mission, New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program, the Christian Harness Horsemen’s Association, the Standardbred Retirement Foundation and Canonsburg/Houston (PA) Meals on Wheels.

Horse Approval Guidelines Updated

The Meadows Race Office has released an updated Horse Approval Guidelines list.  CLICK HERE for the latest update.

Track Releases 2012 Live Racing Schedule

The 2012 Meadows Live Racing Schedule is now available.  CLICK HERE to see it.

New Track Rules - 11/21/11

The Meadows Race Office has released the following rules:

EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 21, 2011

1)  All individuals using the racetrack for training, jogging, warming up or racing MUST wear a helmet with a chinstrap fastened at all times on the racetrack.

2)  Track closes at 1:30PM daily on non-race days and/or 6:55PM post time.  Track closes at 12Noon on 12:55 post.

3)  From the hours of 8:00AM to 11:30AM horses MUST be trained on the trot or pace during these hours.  No other method of training is permitted during this time.

REPEAT OFFENDERS OF THE ABOVE RULES MAY LOSE PRIVILEGES OF USING THE RACETRACK.

MSOA Works with Legislators to promote Harness Racing

The Meadows Standardbred Owners Association reminds its members that one of our main goals is to represent the horsemens' interests in Harrisburg.

We continue to meet and work with legislators and lobbyists on a regular basis to ensure that the industry continues to thrive in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Our members deserve to have a voice...and we are here to make sure that your voices are heard.

As always, if you have any comments or suggestions on anything that we can do for you in regard to our local and state legislators, do not hesitate to contact us.

PHOTO: Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture George Greig prepares for a sulky ride around The Meadows racetrack on Adios Day, 2011.