2012

HAMILTON – Hamilton Thunderbirds will be hosting a variety of events during June and July.  Events will include fundraisers for the CIBC Run for the Cure and the Canadian Diabetes Association.

Tuesday June 22nd the Thunderbirds will be holding an Appetizer Night at the Vicar’s Vice Restaurant & Pub located at 2251 Rymal Road.  For just $10 you will get a drink and all the appetizers you can eat between 7:00 pm and 10:00 pm.  Tickets for the event can be purchased at all Thunderbird home games or by emailing hamiltonthunderbirds@sympatico.ca.

The Thunderbirds will hold their fifth annual Pink Ladies Day game on Sunday July 10th when they host the London Majors starting at 2:00 pm.  A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales and draws will go to help support the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure in hopes of helping create a future without breast cancer.

Hamilton will travel to Ottawa for 3 games in 3 days starting Friday July 15th and you can join them.  For $400 you will get a bus ride, hotel and tickets in a private box.  If you are interested please email hamiltonthunderbirds@sympatico.ca as seating is limited.

The Hamilton Thunderbirds will be hosting their Fourth Annual Baseball Camp for players eight to 15 years of age.  The camp will run from Monday July 18th until Friday July 22nd.  Registration forms are available at all home games, on the team website or by emailing hamiltonthunderbirds@sympatico.ca.  Deadline to register for the camp is Friday July 1st.

Sunday July 24th the Thunderbirds will host the Burlington Twins on Canadian Diabetes Day.  Children 13 years of age and under can attend the game for free when accompanied by an adult.  The day will also include special draws throughout the game in support of the Canadian Diabetes Association.

Tickets for all Hamilton Thunderbirds home games are available at the Bernie Arbour Stadium Box Office on game day.  For more information on Thunderbirds season tickets visit www.hamiltonthunderbirds.org.  

Fort Erie, June 27th...The Fort Erie Live Racing Consortium is pleased to announce the schedule of on-site special events to be offered during the Friendship Festival of Racing, July 2nd, 3rd ,4th, and 5th   in conjunction with the town of Fort Erie’s famous Friendship Festival. The July meet will offer a holiday-weekend of intense competition for both Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses with plenty of additional entertainment for racing fans, families and festival-goers alike.

Six Quarter Horse stakes races are scheduled during the full Saturday card and the Sunday and Monday mixed (Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred) cards that will offer a total of 18 Quarter Horse races. The highlight of the stakes schedule is the G3 AQHA Bank of America Championship Challenge worth $100,000 added and valuable points towards the Championship Challenge Finals, to be held this October 29th at California’s famed Los Alamitos. The Championship Challenge stake, a 440 yard race for $100,000 added, is scheduled for Monday July 4th and will mark the inaugural running of an AQHA race of this calibre in Ontario.

On Monday, the Rainbow Connection Stakes will take place for Thoroughbred fillies and mares.  The race will take place on the newly renovated turf course at a distance of 5 furlongs for a total purse of $125,000.

The American Quarter Horse Association’s Q-Racing Aces will be on hand throughout the entire holiday weekend to answer questions about wagering on horseracing The Q-Racing Aces will also host a special handicapping seminar on Saturday, July 3rd, at 11:00 a.m. and Monday, July 4th, at 2:00 p.m.

The renowned precision drill team, the Canadian Cowgirls, are back again this July to present their musical ride on Sunday, July 3rd and Monday, July 4th at the half-time point of the racing card. Cowgirls will be on hand to sign autographs and answer questions throughout the afternoon, each day.

From the track’s new Tiki Bar, situated near the finish line, radio host personality, Paul Marshall of Giant FM, will act as master of ceremonies on Sunday, July 3rd. Sunday will feature the Battle of the Breeds races, when Quarter Horses and Thoroughbreds vie for supremacy in two $35,000 mixed stakes. Quarter Horse jockeys will also be signing autographs and answering fans’ questions in the Tiki Bar area.

Free Quarter Horse Koozies and pocket race programs will be available all weekend, while quantities last, to guests redeeming vouchers handed-out at the Friendship Festival on the evening of June 30th and throughout July 1st.

“The special events we’ve scheduled for the Quarter Horse days are designed to entertain race-goers while they learn how to wager and find out how much fun live horse racing can be. Ultimately, we hope to create some new fans who will continue to visit throughout the summer and fall,” said COO Rick Cowan.

The world’s fastest athletes will reconvene at Fort Erie in October for a six-day season finale of racing on the 8th, 11th, 15th, 16th, 22nd and 24th.

For more information please contact;

Elissa Blowe
Manager, Media & Marketing
Fort Erie Race Track
1-800-295-3770 x3204
femedia@forterieracetrack.ca

You’re invited
To the Post Position Draw
For the 76th running of

The Prince of Wales Stakes

The 2nd Jewel of Canada’s Triple Crown

Prince of Wales Dining Room

Fort Erie Race Track

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Cocktails at 1:00pm

Post Position draw at 2:00pm.

Buffet following the draw

Guest Draw Master

Mr. Daniel Girardi of the New York Rangers

Please RSVP to Elissa Blowe

1-800-295-3770 ext. 3204 femedia@forterieracetrack.ca

FRIDAY, July 8 – OPENING NIGHT!!!!!
Welcoming events start at 5:30 p.m.
Cuba vs. Beijing Tigers, 7 p.m.

• Band out front from 5:45-6:45 – PRINCE GEORGE’S OWN SOUND ADDICTION
• Coca-Cola to hand out vitamin water to the first 200 people
• Let’s set a P.G. sports event attendance record – 6,000 plus, to see one of the most revered teams in the world!

SATURDAY, July 9 – First full day (2 games)

Chinese Taipei vs. Bahamas, 3 p.m.
Japan vs. Cuba, 7 p.m.

• TELUS Employee Day, $5/day pass for all TELUS employees  who show ID
• Japan earthquake relief night – taking donations for the relief efforts in Japan; Japanese theme night sponsored by Sendo Sushi Factory and PWB; special welcome to our friends from Toshiba-Japan

SUNDAY, July 10 – 3 games

Beijing Tigers vs. Japan, noon
Canada vs. Bahamas, 3 p.m.
Opening ceremonies, 7 p.m.
Chinese Taipei vs. Cuba, 7:30 p.m.

• Kids Day and City of Prince George Employees Day, $5/day pass for all those under 17, and all CPG employees who show ID
  Sponsored by the City of Prince George
• OPENING CEREMONIES prior to last game, Prince George Sports Hall of Fame members to throw out ceremonial first pitches (sponsored by the Pattison Group)

MONDAY, July 11 – 2 games

Canada vs. Beijing Tigers, 3 p.m.
Japan vs. Bahamas, 7 p.m.

• Prince George Free Press carrier day game celebration

TUESDAY, July 12 – 3 games
Beijing Tigers vs. Bahamas, noon
Chinese Taipei vs. Japan, 3 p.m.
Cuba vs. Canada, 7 p.m.

• TORONTO BLUE JAYS DAY AT THE PARK – wear something with the Blue Jays logo, get in for half-price
• First 300 people in will get a free Blue Jays hat
• Night game sponsored by the Toronto Blue Jays; Sr. VP of Business Operations for the Blue Jays, Stephen Brooks, to throw out the first pitch

WEDNESDAY, July 13 – 2 games
Beijing Tigers vs. Chinese Taipei, 3 p.m.
Canada vs. Japan, 7 p.m.

• MILITARY/SERVICE NIGHT – all those who show their military/police/fire/ambulance ID get in FREE
• Shawn Fitzpatrick to throw out first pitch

THURSDAY, July 14 – 2 games
Cuba vs. Bahamas, 3 p.m.
Chinese Taipei vs. Canada, 7 p.m.

• SENIORS DAY, and Citizen Game-Day at Citizen Field

FRIDAY, July 15 – 3 games

Fourth vs. Fifth, noon
Third vs. Sixth, 3 p.m.
First vs. Second, 7 p.m. (winner to final)

• Vista Radio Game-Day at the Park

PLAYOFFS
SATURDAY, July 16 – 3 games (semifinals)

Winner 4-5 vs. Winner 3-6, 11 a.m.
Consolation (losers of 4-5 and 3-6), 3 p.m.
Loser 1-2 vs. Winner of 11 a.m. game, 7:30 p.m.

SUNDAY, July 17 – 1 game (final)

Final, 3 p.m.

• CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

Make sure to visit the SPORTS ACTION BEER GARDEN, featuring locally-brewed PWB products… and also proudly serving fine foods from many concessionaires, including Shopper’s Wholesale/Mr. G!!!!!

No outside food or beverages allowed

2011 WORLD BASEBALL CHALLENGE ADMISSION PRICES

TOURNAMENT PASS

Reserved Grandstand (assigned seating, behind home plate):$ 199.00

General Admission (seating down the lines):$ 149.00

DAY PASS

Reserved Grandstand premium seating:$ 25.00

General Admission - Adult:$ 20.00

Senior (+60) and youth under 16:$ 16.00

Family (four or more max 2 adults):$ 44.00

SINGLE GAME (Excluding Championship game)

Reserved Grandstand premium seating:$ 15.00

General Admission - Adult:$ 10.00

Senior (+60) and Youth under 16:$ 8.00

Family (four or more, max 2 adults):$ 25.00

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

Reserved Grandstand premium seating:$ 20.00

General Admission - Adult:$ 15.00

Senior (+60) and youth under 16:$ 12.00

Family (four or more max 2 adults):$ 35.00

SENIOR DAY SPECIAL – THURSDAY JULY 14, 2011 ONLY

General Admission Senior - all day – covers both games:$ 5.00

Companion -all day – covers both games:$ 5.00

Children 5 years and under admitted free

BROADCAST SCHEDULE

All games broadcast LIVE STREAMING VIDEO, with announcing team, through the website (www.worldbaseball.ca)  – a VERY popular feature in 2009, made better in 2011!

The following games will be available on local community radio station CFIS-FM, 93.1 (airwaves, or internet):

Friday, July 8

Cuba vs. Beijing Tigers, 7 p.m.

Saturday, July 9

Japan vs. Cuba, 7 p.m.

Sunday, July 10

Chinese Taipei vs. Cuba, 7:30 p.m.

Monday, July 11

Japan vs. Bahamas, 7 p.m.

Wednesday, July 13

Canada vs. Japan, 7 p.m.

PLAYOFFS
Friday, July 15

First vs. Second, 7 p.m. (winner to final)

Saturday, July 16

Loser 1-2 vs. Winner of 11 a.m. game, 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, July 17

Championship Final, 3 p.m.

To Be Run Sunday, July 17th Post Time 5:45 p.m.

FORT ERIE, July 26th…The summer of fun continues at Fort Erie Race Track this Civic holiday long weekend.

Sunday, July 31st will be Family Day at the historic border oval.  The day will consist of an abundance of fun activities for kids including clowns, a bouncy house, pony rides, games and arts and crafts.

First race post time for Sunday is 12:45.  Activities for the kids will begin at noon and run throughout the live racing card.

Monday, August 1st Fort Erie celebrates Ladies Night for the second consecutive year.  The event was held for the first time last July and proved to be one of the most popular days of the season.  Post time for the holiday Monday card will be 4:00 pm.

Located in the picnic area next to the walking ring there will be a variety of booths to pamper patrons.  Booths include hand scrubs, eye brow sugaring, manicures and massages.  This season, F8 salon and spa will be doing a number of makeovers for several lucky ladies.  There will be a variety of local artists, decorative candles, and jewelry available as well.  Patrons can fill out ballots to win numerous prizes which have been generously donated by local business and spas.

Fans will also have an opportunity to meet some of the track’s popular female jockeys who will sign autographs and give out free photos.

The Prince of Wales dining room will feature a delicious buffet for $16.95 per person.  Patrons are advised to make reservations in advance as seats tend to sell quickly. To book a table, please call 905-871-3200 extension 3617.

Stick around after the races are over for a free concert by Toronto’s Off The Wall at the Tiki Bar patio.

Parking and admission are always free.

For more information please contact;

Elissa Blowe
Manager, Media & Marketing
Fort Erie Race Track
800-295-3770 ext. 3204
femedia@forterieracetrack.ca

Fort Erie, August 25th…Fort Erie Race Track is proud to host Sandy Hawley Day on Tuesday, August 30th.  The Hall of Fame jockey will be on track to celebrate the final night of twilight racing at the Border Oval.  Post time is 4:00 pm.

Born in Oshawa, Sandy is one of the greatest jockeys in the history of thoroughbred racing.  Hawley became the first jockey to win over 500 races in a single season destroying Bill Shoemaker’s record of 485.  Sandy is one of only three riders to win the Queen’s Plate four times; he also won the Canadian Oaks eight times.  He won 18 riding titles at Woodbine, 13 titles at Fort Erie and nine at Greenwood.  Sandy retired from race riding in 1998 but made a comeback ten years later taking the Living Legends race at Santa Anita in which he scored his 6,500th win.  Sandy has won numerous awards including the prestigious George Woolf Memorial and the Avelino Gomez Award.  He was inducted into the National Museum of Racing in 1992 and the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 1986.

Fans will be able to meet Sandy from 4pm until 6pm at the Tiki Bar patio where he will be signing autographs.  Patrons are encouraged to bring their own racing memorabilia for Sandy to sign.  Free photos will also be provided.

A ballot draw will take place for fans on track to win a round of golf with the legend himself at Cherry Hill Golf Club, one of the finest courses in the Niagara region.

Tuesday will also be the last twilight buffet of the season in the Prince of Wales Dining Room.  Reservations can be made by phoning (905) 871-3200 ext. 3617.

Following the live racing card the final free summer concert will take place as Heads Up Lincoln will take to the stage after 7:00 pm.

Don’t miss this great opportunity to meet a true hero and win a round of golf at one of the most beautiful courses in North America.

Parking and admission are always free.  Post times will return to 12:45 beginning September 4th through November 1st.

For more information please contact;

Elissa Blowe
Manager, Media & Marketing
Fort Erie Race Track
800-295-3770 ext. 3204

femedia@forterieracetrack.ca

The day will be packed with promotional events for race goers including a Tiki Bar Hoedown Party featuring line dancing, roping demonstrations, a country music DJ, contests to win betting vouchers and pulled pork on a bun.  The fun gets underway at noon.  For those people interested in learning more about how to handicap Quarter Horses, Dennis Blake, a Q-Racing Ace, will be on site to help new players and answer questions.   A handicapping contest with $1,000 in cash prizes will also be offered and is free for fans to enter.

Quarter Horse racing will take place on Saturday, October 15th and 22nd and mixed Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse cards will be run on Tuesday, October 11th, Sunday, October 16th and Monday, October 24th.

In total there will be nine special stakes events throughout the month of October.  Back by popular demand will be two Battle of The Breeds races in which Quarter Horse compete against Thoroughbreds at distances of 440 yards and 870 yards.

Live racing for 2011 will wrap up on November 1st.  There are still a number events scheduled right up until the last racing day.  The popular Farmers’ Markets will continue every Sunday throughout October.

Jockey Francine Villeneuve is on track to win her 1,000th career race.  At press time she has seven wins left to reach the milestone.

Live racing begins at 12:45 Saturday thru Tuesday.  Parking and admission are always free.

For more information please contact;

Elissa Blowe

Manager, Media & Marketing

Fort Erie Race Track

800-295-3770 ext. 3204

femedia@forterieracetrack.ca

The nearly unstoppable trainer Clint Crawford grabbed the lion’s share of the $35,000 added purse for owner Carl Pevehouse. The Sandra Laszlo-trained Cat Vision was second, nosing out Frozen Ocean. Candy Cartel paid $5.00 to win.

The ninth race on the card was the 2nd running of the $50,000 added Fort Erie Maturity at 400 yards. The joy was all with The Diamond Side, a four-year-old by the Down Side out of Pritzi Diamond. This was the eight win for the gelding who, on September 20th, won the Ontario Bred Derby at Ajax Downs. Bred by owners Joyce and Erik Lehtinen, The Diamond Side was being retired after the race today. “He’s going out with a bang,” said Lehtinen. “To date, he is the best horse we have ever bred.” Jockey Helen Vanek has a special attachment to The Diamond Side as she was involved in his breaking and training. “He broke impressively, he gets brave on the front end,” said Vanek. The Diamond Side nosed out One Kool Shake, finishing in 20.05 seconds he returned $30.90 to his backers.

Live Thoroughbred racing continues at Fort Erie every Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.  First race post time is 12:45.  Closing day for the 2011 racing season is November 1st.

For more information please contact;

Elissa Blowe

Manager, Media & Marketing

Fort Erie Race Track

800-295-3770 ext. 3204

femedia@forterieracetrack.ca