QUADRUPLE CROWN PART OF HORSES AT PARK

Peace Country race fans will have plenty to cheer about at The Horses At Evergreen Park at J.D.A. Raceway at Gordon Badger Stadium this summer.

And a big part of it will be what is known as the Quadruple Crown.

It starts July 22 with the first jewel being the Grande Prairie Derby – a $13,000-plus race for three-year-old thoroughbreds over a mile; continues with the Peace Country Derby – a 400-yarder for quarter horses with a purse of over $16,000 on July 29; is highlighted by the Alberta Derby – a 1 1/6 mile run for three-year-olds with a purse of over $50,000 on August 5; and winds up with the final jewel the Mr. Mike’s Paint The Park Purple – Race For the Cure for three year old fillies and mares with a purse of over $8,500 on Sunday, August 26.

There are lots of other important races throughout the season kicking off with the opener on Saturday, July 7. Racing goes every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. First race of the day goes at 6:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday in July (switching to 6 p.m. in August) and every Sunday at 1 p.m. over the summer.

The Alberta Derby includes a first-class brunch as well as a chance for the ladies to wear their fancy hats and win a prize. Brunch goes at 11 a.m. and racing starts at 1 p.m. Tickets are available at the Evergreen Park office in the ENTREC Centre or online here.

There is no admission fee to take in the races and both the Pines Restaurant & Casino and Pines Family Restaurant will be open before, during and after the races. There is also a kids’ play area.

Here is a list of all of the Stakes Program races at The Horses At Evergreen Park this summer:

JULY

Saturday, July 7: Alberta Community Thoroughbred Racing Association (ACTRA) Alberta Bred Stakes. For three-year-olds and up Alberta-bred fillies and mares over six furlongs. Purse is $7,600 plus horsemen’s fees of $150. There is a claiming price of $5,000.

Sunday, July 8: Alberta Community Thoroughbred Racing Association (ACTRA) Alberta Bred Stakes. For three-year-olds and up Alberta-bred colts and geldings over six furlongs. Purse is $7,600 plus horsemen’s fees of $150. There is a claiming price of $5,000.

Sunday, July 8: Sprint Series Race No. 1. Thoroughbreds three-years-old and up racing over 5 ½ furlongs for a purse of $7,000 plus $100 horsemen fees.

Sunday, July 8: Jerry Stojan Memorial Trials. For quarter horses over 300 yards and $11,500 in purse money up for grabs in the finals on July 22.

Saturday, July 14: Marathon Series Race No. 1. Three-year-old thoroughbreds and up over a mile with a purse of $7,000 plus $100 horsemen’s fees.

Sunday, July 15: Distaff Series Race No. 1. Fillies and mares three-years-old and up racing over 5 ½ furlongs for $7,000 in purse money plus horsemen’s fees of $100.

Sunday, July 15: Grande Prairie 440 Trials. Sponsored by Evergreen Park and the Alberta Quarter Horse Racing Association, this race goes 440 yards for a chance at the $16,000 in purse money being offered in the finals on July 29.

Sunday, July 22: Grande Prairie Derby. Three-year-old thoroughbred allowance stake race over a mile with $13,000 purse plus horsemen’s fees of $150.

Saturday, July 22: Sprint Series Race No. 2. Thoroughbreds three-years-old and up racing over six furlongs for a purse of $7,000 plus $100 horsemen fees.

Sunday, July 22: Jerry Stojan Memorial Finals. For quarter horses over 300 yards and $11,500 in purse money. The trials were held on July 8.

Saturday, July 28: Marathon Series Race No. 2. Three-year-old thoroughbreds and up over 1 1/6 miles with a purse of $7,000 plus $100 horsemen’s fees.

Sunday, July 29: Peace Country Derby. For three-year-old quarter horses over 400 yards with a purse of $16,000.

Sunday, July 29: Distaff Series Race No. 2. Fillies and mares three-years-old and up racing over six furlongs for $7,000 in purse money plus horsemen’s fees of $100.

Sunday, July 29: Grande Prairie 440 Finals. Sponsored by Evergreen Park and the Alberta Quarter Horse Racing Association, this race goes 440 yards for a chance at the $16,000 in purse money. The trails were held on July 15.

Sunday, July 29: John MacLeod Memorial. A quarter horse race over 870 yards with a purse of $8,000.

Sunday, July 29: Grande Prairie Sprint. For quarter horses three-years-old and up over 110 yards with a purse of $8,000 and horsemen’s fees of $100.

AUGUST

Saturday, August 4: Marathon Series Race No. 3. Three-year-old thoroughbreds and up over 1 1/8 miles with a purse of $7,000 plus $100 horsemen’s fees. Claiming price is $7,500.

Saturday, August 4: American Quarter Horse Racing Challenge Series John Deere Juvenile Challenge Trials. Quarter horses racing over 350 yards looking to get into the final August 19 for a purse of $18,500.

Sunday, August 5: Alberta Derby. For three-year-olds over 1 1/6 mile with a purse of $50,000 plus added fees. Brunch at 11 a.m. and post time is 1 p.m.

Sunday, August 5: Sprint Series Race No. 3. Thoroughbreds three-years-old and up racing over 6 ½ furlongs for a purse of $7,000 plus $100 horsemen fees.

Sunday, August 12: Distaff Series Race No. 3. Fillies and mares three-years-old and up racing over 6 ½ furlongs for $7,000 in purse money plus horsemen’s fees of $100.

Sunday, August 12: Evergreen Park Distance Challenge Trials. Quarter horses racing over 870 yards looking to get into the final on August 26 and a chance at part of the $16,500 purse.

Sunday, August 19: American Quarter Horse Racing Challenge Series John Deere Juvenile Challenge Finals. Quarter horses racing over 350 yards with a purse of $18,500. Trials were held on August 4.

Sunday, August 26: Mr. Mike’s Paint The Park Purple – Race For The Cure. This race is six furlongs for fillies and mares with a purse of over $8,500. The day is a fundraiser for pancreatic cancer and includes a 50-50, silent auction and Frisbee toss for a big prize.

Sunday, August 26: Evergreen Park Distance Challenge Finals. Quarter horses racing over 870 yards looking to get a share of the $16,500 purse. Trials were held on August 12.