Racing Season to Begin at Presque Isle Downs & Casino May 15

Erie, PA, May 09, 2012 --(PR.com)-- The season opener features the $100,000 Inaugural Stakes for fillies and the $100,000 Tom Ridge Stakes for 3-year-olds.

This is the sixth season of thoroughbred racing on the Tapeta surface track, which is considered one of the safest in the nation.

“We are very proud of our safety record,” said Mike Tamburelli, VP and GM of Presque Isle Downs & Casino. “And we look forward to providing another first-rate racing experience for our customers.”

The 6 1/2-furlong, $400,000 Masters Stakes, a Grade II race for fillies and mares which is set for Sept. 8, is the highlight of the 14 stakes races scheduled at the thoroughbred racing track.

This race has featured some of the nation’s premiere talent including 2011 winner Musical Romance who went on to win the 2011 Sentient Jet Breeders Cup Fillies & Mare Sprint and was ultimately received the 2011 Eclipse Award for Champion Female Sprinter.

“We are going to have a great season in terms of race talent this year,” said Debbie Howells, Racing Director at Presque Isle Downs & Casino. “Year-over-year I think we have continued to make adjustments and improvements that make for a better racing season.”

Those improvements include two new barns that will stable an additional 96 horses.

The other highlight for the season is the Presque Isle Mile, a $250,000 race for 3-year-olds and upward scheduled for Sept. 7.

The season closes Sept. 29 with three $100,000 races: the Fitz Dixon Jr. Memorial Stakes, a 61/2 furlong sprint for 2-year-old; the 6-furlong Debutante Stakes for 2-year-old fillies; and the 1-mile 70-yard H.B.P.A Stakes for fillies and mares 3 and up.

This season will mark the inauguration of the Mark McDermott Stakes for Registered PA Breds.

Races are scheduled Tuesday through Saturday, with eight-races each evening; first post is 5:25 p.m.

For more information about the racing season or schedule please visit: www.casinoinerie.com.

Presque Isle Downs stakes schedule:

May 15 (opening night)
Inaugural Stakes
$100,000, 6 furlongs, 3-year-old fillies
2011 winner (jockey) -- It's Me Mom (Willie Martinez)
Tom Ridge Stakes
$100,000, 6 furlongs, for 3-year-olds
2011 -- Getaway Guy (Julien Leparoux)

June 19
Satin & Lace Stakes
$100,000, 51/2 furlongs, for fillies & mares, 3 and up
2011 -- Speedacious (Miguel Mena)

June 20
Karl Boyes Memorial
NW Pa. Stakes
$100,000, 51/2 furlongs, for 3 and up
2011 -- Hollywood Hit (James McAleney)

July 3
Windward Stakes
$100,000, 1 mile, for fillies & mares, 3 and up
2011 -- Emburs Song (Patrick Husbands)

July 6
Leematt Stakes
$75,000 (Pa.-breds), 1 mile, 3 and up
2011 -- Terrifico (Willie Martinez)
Northern Fling Stakes
$75,000 (Pa.-breds), 1 mile, fillies & mares, 3 and up
2011 -- Malibu Win (Willie Martinez)

Aug. 10
Malvern Rose Stakes
$75,000 (Pa.-breds), 11/16 mile, fillies, 3-year-olds
2011 -- Prize Winner (Huber Villa-Gomez)

Sept. 7
Mark McDermott Stakes
(First running)
$75,000 (Pa.-breds), 6 furlongs, 2-year-olds
Presque Isle Mile
$250,000, 3 and up
2011 -- Wise Dan (Jon Kenton Court)

Sept. 8
P.I. Downs Masters Stakes
Grade II
$400,000, 61/2 furlongs, fillies & mares, 3 and up
2011 -- Musical Romance (Juan Leyva)

Sept. 29
Fitz Dixon Jr. Memorial Juvenile Stakes
$100,000, 61/2 furlongs, 2-year-olds
2011 -- Big Wednesday (Pablo Morales)
H.B.P.A. Stakes
$100,000, 1 mile, 70 yards, fillies & mares 3 and up
P.I. Downs Debutante Stakes
$100,000, 6 furlongs, fillies, 2-year-olds
2011 -- Citizen Advocate (Luis Jurado)

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