Hambletonian Casino night successful again

Goshen, NY – The harness racing community once again showed robust support for two of the sport’s most important charities – The Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame and the Standardbred Retirement Foundation (SRF) – at a casino-themed fundraiser held on Hambletonian eve at the Meadowlands in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

The August 6th event, with dinner sponsorship from the Meadowlands Racetrack, featured about 120 people playing casino games and a poker tournament vying to win prizes that included an all-expenses paid trip to Las Vegas sponsored by Roberts Communications. The silent auction included New York Jets/Giants tickets, New York Yankees tickets, and vacation stays in the Bahamas and in Vermont. Auction items were donated by the Meadowlands, Northwood Bloodstock & Bluestone Farms, Maureen Kuchar, and Ellen Harvey & Maureen Harvey. Raffle prize winners won harness racing art, electronics, jewelry, autographed Yankees baseballs, vintage Hambletonian and Little Brown Jug items, a Tractor Supply & Nupro basket, and baskets of wine and liquor.

Approximately $45,000 was raised and will be shared equally by the two charities.

A plated dinner and an open bar were provided throughout the evening to go along with blackjack, roulette, craps and a great night of racing. Arden Homestead Stable sponsored the open bar and Scott Farber underwrote the dessert.

The important work of both charities – preserving and presenting the history of the sport and assisting equine athletes after their racing days – was generously supported by Burke Racing Stable, Marc & Marcia Goldberg, and the late Charles Keller III. Gaming table sponsors included Cameo Hills, Ted Gewertz & Claire Chappell, Max Hempt, Freehold Raceway, Millstone Veterinary Associates, Gaitway Farms, Congress Hill Farm, Millstream Farm, Yankeeland Partners, Team Miller Stable, Bix DiMeo and Bill & Kathy Vit. Their generosity helped ensure that proceeds from participants’ casino fees went directly to support the work of the Museum and the SRF.

The Museum is planning a major museum improvement project and the SRF is caring for more than 400 horses. The money raised on August 6 will be an important first step in achieving goals for both groups.

A charitable event has been part of the Hambletonian festivities since 1991 and has raised a total of $1.4 million.

From the Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame