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Saratoga Chariot Races February 15-17

Ella Marie Hayes
Saratoga, Wyo.

The 28th Annual Donald E. Erickson Memorial Chariot Races are scheduled for Feb. 15-17, 2008 in Saratoga, Wyo. Once again, teams and drivers will wait for the starting signal to race through the gate to reach the finish line 440 yards away in less than 30 seconds.

The event, held during Presidents’ Day weekend, is put on in cooperation with the Saratoga-Platte Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Saratoga Lions Club. The races also serve as the Interstate Championships.

On Friday, Feb. 15, the gathering place will be the Wolf Hotel. There will be people to meet the racers to help with directions or other questions. A no host cocktail party at the begins at 6 p.m. The Calcutta will follow at 8:30 p.m.



On Saturday night, Feb. 16, the banquet and Calcutta will be held at the Platte Valley Community Center. Happy Hour will start at 6 p.m., followed by the Wolf Hotel’s great prime rib dinner. Dinner tickets are $30 per couple in advance, or $40 at the door.The Calcutta will start at 8 p.m. following the banquet. There will also be Calcutta betting at the track both days.

Post Time for the races at the Buck Springs Arena northeast of Saratoga will be 1 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m. on Sunday. Admission for spectators and non-team members is $5 per adult and $3 for children under 12.



Only members of Interstate will be eligible for the “Dave Pennock Good Times Trophy,” sponsored by Rosemary Erickson-Hobbs and the Interstate Racing Association Traveling Trophy, both given for the weekend’s best individual combined time. Drivers also have to be a member to qualify for the first place awards in each division sponsored by Teton Distributing, and cash prizes sponsored by the Saratoga Lions Club and local sponsors.

Any person or club can become a member of Interstate by sending $25 for a club membership or $20 for an individual membership to Nora Jewell, Box 423, Saratoga, Wyo., 82331. Each team will also receive a gate pass for two and two banquet tickets donated by Platte Valley sponsors.

Official chariot races feature three chariots per race pulled by two-horse teams. Racers originally used horse-drawn sleds with razor sharp runners, called cutters, for racing on snow packed tracks during winter months. Today, for the safety of the horses and the lack of dependable snow conditions, wheeled chariots are used.

Drivers must be at least 17 years of age or older, must be a member of their own association and have driven in three races. Other rules include: drivers shall not be fastened or attached to the chariot in any manner and teams shall not move out of their lane in a manner that interferes with or impedes another team.

Disqualification for infractions may be made by the stewards and judges per the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) rules.

Barn space will be the same as last year. When teams are called in, barn space assignments will be given. Anyone who was here before will be placed where they were last year, if possible.

Teams should be called in as soon as possible, and no later than Wednesday, Feb. 13 to Nora Jewell, (307) 326-8357, or jewells@union-tel.com. Please advise her of any special problems or needs, such as sharing of harness, headers, etc.

For more information or help in finding lodging, call the Saratoga-Platte Valley Chamber of Commerce at (307) 326-8855 or Nora Jewell. A complete list of lodging facilities can be found online at: http://www.saratogachamber.info.


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