RUS NY To Kick Off Season At Goshen Historic Track

Qualifiers will be held on Sunday, June 3 and Sunday, June 10

Entry box will close at 11 AM on the Friday before each date. You can enter online via the USTA website or call the race office at 845-294-5333. Horses that plan on racing under saddle must have RUS electronic eligibilities activated prior to entering for any RUS event.

Races are being funded by RUS NY and will follow the organization’s rules and regulations. Riders must be a member of RUS NY. (Anyone can join for free by e-mailing rusnewyorkseries@gmail.com).

Rider requirements for both races: Riders must hold a current active RUS license with the USTA and have at least one charted line behind the gate in 2018. Riders will need to sign a waiver and are subject to a breathalyzer. Riders must participate in at least 2 fundraisers with a minimum of $200 raised or get $500 in sponsors to participate in any RUS NY event.

Horse requirement for both races: Horses must be 3 years old or older to participate (can be older than 14).  Horses must show a clean charted RUS line in a time of 2:16 this year. The horse does not need to go with another horse. If there are more than 8 entries those showing to be most competitive will be used. 

Conditions: 5,000 P/Cs last three starts in 2018 at any parimutuel track. Horses with no harness starts will be eligible based on RUS qualifying times (must go 2:16 but no faster than 2:02 on any size track).

Father’s Day Matinee Race: Sunday, June 17 

All participants will get $200 as long as they finish the race and all paperwork (W-9, Purse authorization is sent to RUS NY at 725 County Highway 45 Milford NY 13807 no later than Friday, June 22.) *** this race can be used as the second ride needed for riders with less than 2 years experience, per RUS NY Rules and Regulations for future events. 

Entries- will be taken by RUS NY not Goshen Track so DO NOT ENTER ONLINE or CALL THE RACE OFFICE. Entries will be taken on Thursday, June 14 from 4 to 6 p.m. Call (607) 316-8268. Entries can be placed via text, but if a confirmation is not sent back be sure to call. 

Grand Circuit RUS Race: Sunday, July 1

This race will go for an estimated purse of $2,000 to be paid out:

5 or more starters 50, 25, 12, 8, 5 percent

4 starters 50, 25, 15, 10 percent

3 starters 50, 30, 20 percent

All W-9s and purse authorizations must be sent to RUS NY at 725 County Highway 45 Milford NY 13807 no later than Monday, July 9. All RUS NY rules and regulations will be used- see rus-newyork.com for more details.Trainers and owners of horses that participate in the June 17 Matinee will get first preference into the Grand Circuit race if there are more horses entered than can fit behind the gate. Riders who participate in the Matinees or June Race will also get preference if not on the same mount. 

Entries- Will be taken by RUS NY not Goshen Track so DO NOT ENTER ONLINE or CALL THE RACE OFFICE. Entries will be taken on Wednesday, June 28 from 4 to 6 p.m. Call (607) 316-8268. Entries can be placed via text, but if a confirmation is not sent back be sure to call. 

NO HORSE will be allowed to race, or be permitted to enter the grounds of Goshen Historic Track, without the following:

1. PROOF OF NEGATIVE COGGINS (EIA) TEST, within twelve (12) months of race date.

2. PROOF OF RABIES VACCINATION, within twelve (12) months of race date and not less than 14 days prior to race date.

NON-NEW YORK STATE HORSES: ALL HORSES ENTERING NEW YORK STATE MUST HAVE ALL OF THE ABOVE AND A CERTIFICATE OF VETERINARY INSPECTION (INTERSTATE HEALTH CHART) ISSUED WITHIN 30 DAYS OF ARRIVAL ON THE GROUNDS OF GOSHEN HISTORIC TRACK.

RUS NY Fair Series To Mark Fifth Season

The excitement of racing under saddle at New York State county fairs will continue this summer. 

RUS New York, an organization that helps promote the sport and the versatility of Standardbreds, is excited to announce its fifth fair series. Races will begin on Thursday, July 5 at Afton Fair and conclude with the final at Monticello Raceway Thursday, Sept. 6.

The series will include nine race legs and a championship final race, with points earned along the way to determine final entries.  Monticello Raceway has generously offered to provide $2,500 for the final. A High Point Rider Award will once again be presented at the final to the rider who has earned the most points, regardless of horse(s) ridden throughout the series. Race conditions can be found on the RUS NY website, rus-newyork.com. Please note some rules and regulations to participate in RUS NY events have been changed so be sure to check that page out on the group’s website. 

Official dates and locations for the series are as follows:

• Thursday, July  5 ------ Afton Fair 
• Tuesday, July 17------ “Little World’s Fair" in Hemlock
• Tuesday, July 24-------Oneida County in Boonville
• Tuesday, July 31------- Otsego County Fair in Morris
• Monday, Aug. 6 ------ Tioga County in Owego
• Wednesday, Aug. 8 ----- Oswego County in Sandy Creek 
• Monday, Aug. 13 ---- Wayne County in Palmyra
• Tuesday, Aug. 14 ---- Steuben County in Bath
• Tuesday, Aug. 21 ----- Tompkins County in Trumansburg
• Thursday, Sept. 6—— Fair Final at Monticello Raceway

RUS is yet to be self sufficient in the United States particularly because of legislation that prohibits wagering. Hopefully one day that will change. But until then, finding sponsors and ways to fundraise has been the biggest challenge moving forward.

The series’ flagship sponsor, The New York Sire Stakes, has generously donated $5,000 as initial purse money. The goal is to have a purse of $750 or more per fair.  Members of RUS New York are working hard and have held several fundraisers with more planned for the future. RUS New York is currently looking for sponsors and donations such as tickets to places and events, gift certificates, gift baskets and other items that can be used to raise money at various fundraising events. A PayPal account has also been set up where people can make secure donations.

What you get for your buck:

• For as little as $100 you will be provided advertisement on our website. 
• For just $200 or more you will get mention in all promotions such as race programs. 
• For $500 or more you will be provided everything above as well as a feature spot on our homepage.(we will link our website promotions to your website or Facebook page if provided)

Become a part of the winning experience and sponsor a race by having your logo or business name printed on a cooler. Sponsors will have the opportunity to present the cooler or the group can have someone do it on the sponsor’s behalf. Our organization must have a completed  sponsorship form three weeks before the date of the race. See our race schedule for race dates to inquire about possible race sponsorships. 

To learn more, visit http://www.rus-newyork.com/become-a-sponsor.html.  RUS NY will be coordinating races with parimutuel tracks soon.

What is Racing Under Saddle: 

Also known as Monte Racing, RUS, is a hybrid between harness racing and thoroughbred racing. The sport consists of a rider atop a Standardbred (generally a trotter) in a saddle instead of pulling a sulky.  RUS is an exciting part of international standardbred racing and is conducted daily at most European tracks as part of their regular pari-mutuel wagering programs.

The Fair Series is organized by RUS NY, an organization that helps coordinate and promote under saddle races across the state. The main goal is to promote the unique sport,  educate about the versatility of the Standardbred breed as both a racing and a riding horse and to help Standardbreds find great homes after they finish their days on the track.

To keep up on RUS NY happenings follow the group at:

• Facebook.com/RUSNYSeries
• Twitter.com/RUS_NewYork
• http://rus-newyork.blogspot.com
• Rus-newyork.com