Qualifiers

Qualifying races are conducted at Sports Creek each Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. during the live meet. Enter for qualifiers by calling the Sports Creek race office (800-635-4582) by 9:00 a.m. Tuesday.

 

Pace 2:08, Trot 2:10

2 year olds allowed 2 seconds

3 year olds allowed 1 second

Half mile track and county fairs allowed 2 seconds

 

The paddock is open at 7:30 a.m. on Wednesdays. Upon arrival at the track, stop at the horsemen parking gate and sign in. After unloading, stop at the paddock area entrance and let the guard know which horses you are bringing to qualify. Stalls on the west side of the paddock are used on qualifier day. Back pads (race numbers) will be hanging in the stalls for each entered horse.

The paddock judge will announce when each qualifier should go out for their race. Be sure you are ready prior to the approximate start time of your qualifier. Unlike on race days, there is relatively little time between qualifying races and it’s your responsibility to be ready. If it’s your first time at Sports Creek (or at qualifiers), don’t be afraid to ask your fellow horsemen about the process or timing. Most are happy to help.

Immediately following the scheduled qualifiers, Sports Creek conducts gate training (gate school). It’s an excellent opportunity to expose young horses to the starting procedures. If you would like to participate in gate training, sign up in the paddock judge’s office when you arrive.

At gate training, the starting car will line up as if starting a normal race. As the participating horses approach the gate, the car proceeds at a slow rate of speed, but the gate doesn’t open at the starting line. Instead, it circles the track with the gate open. After circling the track once with the gate open, the car will accelerate and the starter will close the gates at the starting line allowing the participating horses to complete a simulated race.

On qualifier days, the track is open for training both prior to qualifiers and following gate training. The track opens at 7:30 a.m. and closes promptly at 1:00 p.m. Please follow all directions of the judges and clean up after yourself.