For Immediate Release
June 16, 2008

Conditions Announced for American Quarter Horse Meet in July at the Red Mile in Lexington

The Red Mile in Lexington, Kentucky, has released the condition sheet and stakes information for its fifth annual American Quarter Horse race meet on Friday, July 18, and Saturday, July 19. Through the participation of numerous sponsors, some $130,000 in purse money is available over the two nights of racing, matching the amount awarded last year.

“This is the second consecutive year that we’ve had tremendous support from the Quarter Horse racing community across the country,” said Anne Doolin, executive director of the Kentucky Quarter Horse Racing Association (KyQHRA). “This year, we’re also receiving additional support from Lexington-area businesses and farms. All of us involved in Quarter Horse racing in Kentucky are extremely gratified, and very excited about the upcoming meet.

“We have to give tremendous credit to horseman Johnny T.L. Jones Jr. and Lexington businessman John Paul Miller, who took the lead in securing these sponsorships,” Doolin added. “We wouldn’t be at this level without their assistance.”

Sponsoring races this year are Burnett Ranches from Texas; JEH Stallion Station, with divisions in New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas; Vessels Stallion Farm and Los Alamitos Race Course in California; Belle Mere Farm and Lazy E Ranch in Oklahoma; and Ruidoso Downs in New Mexico. Race sponsors from Kentucky are Ashford Stud, Paul Miller Ford & the Fortune Companies, Kentucky Ale, Taylor Made Farm and Airdrie Stud.

Additional sponsors include Brett Construction, Rood & Riddle, Hallway Feeds, Kentucky Downs, Keeneland, University of Louisville’s Equine Industry Program, Mountain Tarp Company, Ashcraft Farms and Dr. Talmadge Hays.

Nine races are scheduled each evening at the Red Mile with the first race at 7:30 p.m. The program features these four stakes:

• $15,000-added Enchanted Stakes for three-year-old fillies at 300 yards.
• $15,000-added Fort Harrod Stakes for two-year-olds at 300 yards.
• $15,000-added Los Alamitos Stakes for three-year-olds and up at 330 yards.
• $15-000 added Lexington Challenge Supplement Sprint, for three-year-olds and up at 250 yards, with Bank of America Racing Challenge-enrolled horses preferred. The purse for the Lexington is $5,000 plus $10,000 available to Challenge-enrolled horses.

New this year is a three-day entry box, and the Red Mile’s Racing Office will be open to take entries for both cards on Tuesday, July 15. Entries for the Friday card close at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, July 15. Entries for the Saturday card close at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, July 16.

Stakes nominations must be postmarked by Tuesday, July 1, and preference for entry is based on earnings as of July 8, 2008.

Special activities in conjunction with the race meet include a raffle to win the racehorse Streakin Traffic. The three-year-old, Kentucky-bred gelding is by Streak And Dash and is out of Straight1away Josie, a daughter of 1992 All American Futurity winner Dash Thru Traffic. The drawing to determine the raffle winner will take place on July 19 immediately before the race in which Streakin Traffic will compete. The winner also will receive any earnings of Streakin Traffic. Raffle tickets are $10 each and are available from the KyQHRA.

On July 17, the KyQHRA will hold its third Kick-Off Party at the historic Round Barn at the Red Mile. The fund-raising event, which begins at 6 p.m., will feature live and silent auctions, entertainment and food. Admission is $10.

Information for all the races and stakes nomination forms are available on the KyQHRA website at www.kyqhra.com and on the Red Mile website at www.theredmile.com. For additional information, contact:

Racing Secretary Mike Smith by e-mail or by cell phone at (317) 442-6893.
KyQHRA Executive Director Anne Doolin by e-mail or by cell phone at (859) 983-0520.