Name the Baby Racehorse and Win! 

One creative and very lucky individual could win as much as $15,000 by successfully naming a baby racehorse during the California State Fair’s Harness Racing meet. Beginning August 17, the yearling colt will be on display in front of the Budweiser Grandstand from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on race days.  Fairgoers are invited to meet the baby racer and participate in the naming contest along with “play to win” games and activities about horses and harness racing.

 Contest entry forms will be available at the harness racing exhibit and online at www.sacharness.com and www.chhaonline.com. Creative optimists, horse lovers, and racing fans alike may submit up to five names to the “Name the Baby Racehorse and Win!” contest.

The contest is open to California residents age 18 and over excluding horseracing professionals and their immediate families. Contest entries will be accepted from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm on race days only from August 17 to 31st with final judging on Saturday, September 1. One finalist will be selected from each day’s entries. Nine finalists will contend for the grand prize of ten percent of the colt’s earnings in 2008 and 2009 Sires Stakes races, which can range from $10,000 to $150,000 over the course of two years and twelve races. 

A noted panel of judges will select the grand prizewinner on the final night of racing at the 2007 California State Fair.  Fans will be encouraged to voice their support for the top three entries, leading to the announced winner of the contest. “We wanted to do something memorable and fun for fairgoers this year,” notes Alan Kirschenbaum, chair of the sponsoring organization. “What could possibly be more exciting than naming a racehorse and sharing the thrill of potential victories and earnings?” 
 
Bred and owned by Kirschenbaum, the yearling colt is by leading California stallion Little Steven out of broodmare Quick Mischief.  He’s a full brother to Little Walter, a Sires Stakes winner now racing in the top classes at the CalX harness meet. Little Walter’s lifetime earnings are approaching $80,000. This yearling colt should have what it takes to follow in his brother’s speedy footsteps.  

Kirschenbaum is a driver, trainer, major breeder and owner of Standardbred racehorses as well as a writer, producer and director. Credits include such television comedies as “Yes, Dear,” “Coach,” and “Everybody Loves Raymond” among others and he currently is one of the writers/producers on the NBC hit “My Name Is Earl.”  Kirschenbaum is also ranked among the top 25 Standardbred breeders by wins in North America for 2007.  His donation of the Name the Baby Racehorse and Win! grand prize is a way to share the thrill of owning a racehorse without the responsibilities of actual ownership (don’t even ask about the monthly feed bill, for instance) 

The California Standardbred Sires Stakes Committee is pleased to sponsor this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.  The organization has produced Stakes races for Cal-sired two-year-old and three-year-old pacers and trotters since 1977, offering $300,000 in purse money for each young generation.  Upcoming series include the best-of-the-best two-year old fillies and colts beginning Friday, August 31 and concluding on October 13 with Championship Night racing. Three-year-old pacers and trotters launch their veteran Stakes racing campaigns on October 27 & 28 at the CalX harness meet.

Visit www.sacharness.com for CalX harness racing news and www.ustrotting.com for more information on harness racing in North America.