Horse Race North Dakota and NorthStar Cover-All are pleased to announce their partnership in the new “Cover-All Pavilion” to be constructed on the grounds of the North Dakota Horse Park racetrack in Fargo, North Dakota.
The 40 foot by 160 foot structure will house the Horse Park pari-mutual betting and race day concessions as well as provide a year-round venue for Horse Park activities such as horse shows, clinics, snowmobile races and other public events. Since opening for live racing 5 years ago, the North Dakota Horse Park has rented a temporary tent structure to serve as a betting and concession area but as Horse Race North Dakota General Manager, Heather Benson, put it, “It is now time to expand what we can do and when we can do it by putting a year round building in place. “This building will not only be home to our betting and concessions areas during the race meet, it will allow us to offer vending booths to horse-related businesses and a place to have speakers and events throughout the year,” said Benson.
The building was made possible by the partnership with NorthStar Cover-All, the local Authorized Dealer of Cover-All Building Systems. As a named and sponsored building on the Horse Park grounds, which attract over 50,000 yearly visitors, Cover-All receives the benefits of target marketing through this new venue to display their product while the Horse Park was given a significant discount to make the project a possibility on the non-profit corporation’s limited budget. “We obviously see the potential in coming together on this so we worked hard to ‘sharpen our pencil’ in regards to pricing this project,” said Troy Jurek of NorthStar Cover-All. “We had to make this work because I already told my daughter about it and she is very excited [to go to the races],” said Ben Fox of NorthStar Cover-All.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
New ADW signs with Horse Race North Dakota!
News Announcement
May 21, 2008
For immediate release:
Horse Race North Dakota/North Dakota Horse Park racetrack is pleased to announce that they have signed an agreement with Silks Corporation, a division of Sungold International Holdings Corporation, to operate a new online Advanced Deposit Wagering (ADW) site “racingtheworld.com”. As part of their festivities planned for Belmont Stakes day on Saturday, June 7, they will be introducing the new website and its affiliate magazine, ThoroughbredStyle, to the public.
As part of the agreement with Silks Corporation, a designated portion of the handle will go directly for purse enhancements at the North Dakota Horse Park. “This will be one of the first ADW’s that gives directly back to the horsemen” explained Heather Benson, General Manager of the North Dakota Horse Park. “Just as some states use racinos or card rooms to build their purses and breed funds, in North Dakota we have put in place a structure where our ADW’s become an integral part of the overall health of the horse racing and breeding industry”. The North Dakota Horse Park hosts a live race meet each summer for Thoroughbred, Quarter Horse and Standardbred horses in Fargo, North Dakota. The track boasts some of the largest average field sizes in North America and attracts upwards of 50,000 people over its 16-19 day race meet.
May 21, 2008
For immediate release:
Horse Race North Dakota/North Dakota Horse Park racetrack is pleased to announce that they have signed an agreement with Silks Corporation, a division of Sungold International Holdings Corporation, to operate a new online Advanced Deposit Wagering (ADW) site “racingtheworld.com”. As part of their festivities planned for Belmont Stakes day on Saturday, June 7, they will be introducing the new website and its affiliate magazine, ThoroughbredStyle, to the public.
As part of the agreement with Silks Corporation, a designated portion of the handle will go directly for purse enhancements at the North Dakota Horse Park. “This will be one of the first ADW’s that gives directly back to the horsemen” explained Heather Benson, General Manager of the North Dakota Horse Park. “Just as some states use racinos or card rooms to build their purses and breed funds, in North Dakota we have put in place a structure where our ADW’s become an integral part of the overall health of the horse racing and breeding industry”. The North Dakota Horse Park hosts a live race meet each summer for Thoroughbred, Quarter Horse and Standardbred horses in Fargo, North Dakota. The track boasts some of the largest average field sizes in North America and attracts upwards of 50,000 people over its 16-19 day race meet.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Time for Agonizing Anticipation
Is it June 7th yet?
So begins the most agonizing wait in all of sports. Counting down to the Kentucky Derby is tough but waiting for the Belmont Stakes when it Triple Crown is on the line is down right unbearable. I’m checking websites everyday. How is Big Brown doing? Will he get to the big race healthy? How does his competition look?
Because of the soft lineup Big Brown faced in the Preakness the Triple Crown countdown started earlier than usual the year. His easy trip down the lane in Baltimore sent a signal that Big Brown’s Belmont could turn out to be the happy ending we’ve been waiting 30 years for.
I love this sport and I know what at Triple Crown will mean to the game. But in most years, I keep my feelings in check when it comes to a horse sweeping the “big three”. I’m a positive individual but if there’s one thing I learned about this game is the fact that it is not for widows and orphans. Belmont can and often has been Heartbreak Hotel.
In my racing lifetime I have seen eight chances come and go. My first cruel date with destiny was as a 12 year-old fan of Alysheba in 1987. In front of my adoring eyes, he won the Derby and Preakness in dramatic fashion. He was on Good Morning America and the front page of the USA Today. Surely he would win the Belmont and become a household name. Not so fast. One of the best racehorses of the decade finished a weary fourth, dusted 15 lengths by Derby and Preakness runner-up Bet Twice.
Since then, I have carried an air of skepticism when a horse heads to the Belmont with an eye on wearing the crown. Something in the back of my mind always told me this final test of the champion wouldn’t be as easy as all the experts said it would be. This is the toughest task the game has to offer. To run and win at a mile and a half after you had just won two of the toughest races of your life against the best your generation has to offer.
Quite often, racing fans have been punched in the gut when it comes to the Belmont. We are naturally disappointed but I always thought the long delay only strengthens the game, and I keep telling myself we have to wait for the right horse. The one. It would make it all worth it when he gets here.
So is now the time? Is Big Brown the one? Is this the one we’ve waited 30 years for much like another generation in the early 70’s waited for Secretariat to break a then quarter-century drought? All signs (more than any of the other aforementioned attempts) point to this finally being the year. Why? I think the biggest key is the fact that this could be the first Triple Crown winner who didn’t have to “compete” in the Preakness. Kent Desormeaux asked Big Brown to run for about an eighth of a mile and then went back to wrapping him up. He could have exploded and put on a show winning by 15 in track record time but the jockey knew the ultimate goal was having a fresh horse in three weeks. Funny Cide and Smarty Jones shattered the competition in Baltimore and they may have left too much on the track. As a result, they weren’t the same in the Belmont.
Another factor is Big Brown’s disposition. The media swarm, the large crowd of screaming fans will in all probability not be a factor. His ability to stand back and take it all in is practically legendary. Above all, he has won all of his races easily and has displayed his class over all of his foes. If he shows his usual push-button acceleration, he doesn’t appear to have a major challenger in this field.
Or does he? As if we didn’t have enough drama leading up to the Belmont there is the story of Casino Drive. The mystery horse from Japan is impeccably bred to get the Belmont distance and he is out of Better Than Honour, the mare that has produced the last two Belmont Stakes winners (Jazil and Rags to Riches, respectively). On May 10th, Casino Drive won the Peter Pan Stakes at Belmont Park by five lengths, dominating his competition the way Big Brown has been dominating his. Desourmeaux rode Casino Drive that day and has been offering hints that Big Brown will have a major challenger in the Belmont if the lightly-raced Casino Drive runs to his ability. Are the planets aligning for another spoiler? Another Belmont bust?
That’s right; we have to wait to find out.
We’ll be reading the stories of confident trainers and expert predictions. Sportcenter highlights and Today Show interviews. Enjoy the build up and the agonizing ecstasy that comes with it.
The Belmont is dubbed as “The Test of the Champion”. With the long distance, grueling campaign, fresh competition, and unique track surface, Big Brown faces the toughest exam of his life. Now we all have to wait for two weeks to see if he will pass it.
So begins the most agonizing wait in all of sports. Counting down to the Kentucky Derby is tough but waiting for the Belmont Stakes when it Triple Crown is on the line is down right unbearable. I’m checking websites everyday. How is Big Brown doing? Will he get to the big race healthy? How does his competition look?
Because of the soft lineup Big Brown faced in the Preakness the Triple Crown countdown started earlier than usual the year. His easy trip down the lane in Baltimore sent a signal that Big Brown’s Belmont could turn out to be the happy ending we’ve been waiting 30 years for.
I love this sport and I know what at Triple Crown will mean to the game. But in most years, I keep my feelings in check when it comes to a horse sweeping the “big three”. I’m a positive individual but if there’s one thing I learned about this game is the fact that it is not for widows and orphans. Belmont can and often has been Heartbreak Hotel.
In my racing lifetime I have seen eight chances come and go. My first cruel date with destiny was as a 12 year-old fan of Alysheba in 1987. In front of my adoring eyes, he won the Derby and Preakness in dramatic fashion. He was on Good Morning America and the front page of the USA Today. Surely he would win the Belmont and become a household name. Not so fast. One of the best racehorses of the decade finished a weary fourth, dusted 15 lengths by Derby and Preakness runner-up Bet Twice.
Since then, I have carried an air of skepticism when a horse heads to the Belmont with an eye on wearing the crown. Something in the back of my mind always told me this final test of the champion wouldn’t be as easy as all the experts said it would be. This is the toughest task the game has to offer. To run and win at a mile and a half after you had just won two of the toughest races of your life against the best your generation has to offer.
Quite often, racing fans have been punched in the gut when it comes to the Belmont. We are naturally disappointed but I always thought the long delay only strengthens the game, and I keep telling myself we have to wait for the right horse. The one. It would make it all worth it when he gets here.
So is now the time? Is Big Brown the one? Is this the one we’ve waited 30 years for much like another generation in the early 70’s waited for Secretariat to break a then quarter-century drought? All signs (more than any of the other aforementioned attempts) point to this finally being the year. Why? I think the biggest key is the fact that this could be the first Triple Crown winner who didn’t have to “compete” in the Preakness. Kent Desormeaux asked Big Brown to run for about an eighth of a mile and then went back to wrapping him up. He could have exploded and put on a show winning by 15 in track record time but the jockey knew the ultimate goal was having a fresh horse in three weeks. Funny Cide and Smarty Jones shattered the competition in Baltimore and they may have left too much on the track. As a result, they weren’t the same in the Belmont.
Another factor is Big Brown’s disposition. The media swarm, the large crowd of screaming fans will in all probability not be a factor. His ability to stand back and take it all in is practically legendary. Above all, he has won all of his races easily and has displayed his class over all of his foes. If he shows his usual push-button acceleration, he doesn’t appear to have a major challenger in this field.
Or does he? As if we didn’t have enough drama leading up to the Belmont there is the story of Casino Drive. The mystery horse from Japan is impeccably bred to get the Belmont distance and he is out of Better Than Honour, the mare that has produced the last two Belmont Stakes winners (Jazil and Rags to Riches, respectively). On May 10th, Casino Drive won the Peter Pan Stakes at Belmont Park by five lengths, dominating his competition the way Big Brown has been dominating his. Desourmeaux rode Casino Drive that day and has been offering hints that Big Brown will have a major challenger in the Belmont if the lightly-raced Casino Drive runs to his ability. Are the planets aligning for another spoiler? Another Belmont bust?
That’s right; we have to wait to find out.
We’ll be reading the stories of confident trainers and expert predictions. Sportcenter highlights and Today Show interviews. Enjoy the build up and the agonizing ecstasy that comes with it.
The Belmont is dubbed as “The Test of the Champion”. With the long distance, grueling campaign, fresh competition, and unique track surface, Big Brown faces the toughest exam of his life. Now we all have to wait for two weeks to see if he will pass it.
--Ryan Roshau
Friday, May 16, 2008
Track Manager Notes
The year is starting to shape up for Horse Race North Dakota.
Sunday May 11, I ventured to Aberdeen, S.D. to attend the races at the Brown County Fair Grounds. After a deluge of rain that canceled Saturday's card, Sunday card went with a bang. A large crowd was in attendance.
While I was at the races, I contacted owners and trainers, encouraging them to come to Fargo for our 5 week meet. I was not able to contact everyone and will return next week. Now for the really good news: I received stall apps. for 198 stalls while there. Everyone I talked was excited about coming to Fargo for the races. Of course the most mentioned reason was the quality of our racing surface. We are known as the people with the racing surface that is "kind to the horses."
I discussed our plans for the building project that is in place to replace our tent, and the positive response was overwhelming.
I am looking forward to greeting the owners, and having our barn full of horses for the 2008 race meet.
Sunday May 11, I ventured to Aberdeen, S.D. to attend the races at the Brown County Fair Grounds. After a deluge of rain that canceled Saturday's card, Sunday card went with a bang. A large crowd was in attendance.
While I was at the races, I contacted owners and trainers, encouraging them to come to Fargo for our 5 week meet. I was not able to contact everyone and will return next week. Now for the really good news: I received stall apps. for 198 stalls while there. Everyone I talked was excited about coming to Fargo for the races. Of course the most mentioned reason was the quality of our racing surface. We are known as the people with the racing surface that is "kind to the horses."
I discussed our plans for the building project that is in place to replace our tent, and the positive response was overwhelming.
I am looking forward to greeting the owners, and having our barn full of horses for the 2008 race meet.
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