Colorado Arabian Racing poised to win Race Meet of the Year again in 2009
4/30/2008

Fresh on the heels of Colorado’s receipt of the performance award for Arabian Race Meet of the Year 2007, COBRA is preparing to take the 2008 summer meet at Arapahoe Park to the next level.  With one race per day in the condition book, plus any extras we can sufficiently fill, the 2008 Colorado meet will strive to provide horses of every age and condition with a variety of opportunities to run. 

Live racing at Arapahoe Park in Aurora, Colorado, begins Saturday, May 24th, and runs through Sunday, August 10th.  Stalls at the track are available at no charge, and on-site RV spaces are provided by the track on a rental basis.  The first condition book has just been published, outlining the conditions for the first two weekends of live racing.  Arabian races contained in the first book are as follows:
Saturday, May 24th  $5000 Claiming - 5˝ furlongs
Sunday, May 25th  Allowance F/M - 6 furlongs
Monday, May 26th  Open Maiden - 5˝ furlongs
Friday, May 30th  NW2008 - 7 furlongs
Saturday, May 31st  NW3 - 6 furlongs
Sunday, June 1st  NW3 F/M - 7 furlongs

Also provided in the first condition book is the Arabian Purse Structure for 2008:
Maiden   $4100
Claiming 3200-5000  $4200
Claiming 6250-10000  $5000
NW2    $5800
NW3    $6100
Open Allowance  $7000 (up from $6700 in 2007!)

Throughout the summer, Colorado will provide multiple stakes and overnight events, beginning with the COBRA Distaff Sprint on June 21st, and the COBRA Sprint on June 22nd, each going 6 furlongs, and each providing a purse of $12,000 estimated.   Then, on July 5th and 6th, we’ll host the COBRA Oaks (1 mile) and COBRA Derby (1 1/16 mile) for our 4-year old contenders, each offering a purse of $9,000 estimated.  July 19th is the COBRA Challenge (6 furlongs) with a purse of $9,000 estimated, specifically for horses that have started twice for a $5,000 claiming price.    Our 3-year-olds will have two races just for them, the COBRA Juvenile Distaff for fillies and mares on July 26th, and COBRA Juvenile for colts and geldings on July 27th.  The 3-year olds will compete over 6 furlongs for a purse of $9,000 estimated.  Finally, to bring the meet to a close, COBRA will host a set of prestigious Cup races - The Soaring Eagle Arabian Cup Distaff, sponsored by Soaring Eagle Ranch, where fillies and mares will compete over a distance of 1 1/16 mile for a purse of $20,000 estimated, and The Rocky Mountain Arabian Cup, sponsored by Sam Vasquez, an open race over 1 1/8 mile, for a purse of $20,000 estimated. 
Now, we look to sweeten the pot.  COBRA would really like to “up the ante” on the stakes races and overnight events by obtaining individual and/or business sponsorships, to make the races as lucrative as possible.  Are you or one of your associates interested in the recognition that comes with sponsorship?  Maybe someone you do business with, or who has benefited from your racing operation?  We’d love to get them on-board as race sponsors.  The stronger and more comprehensive our stakes program, the more horses will want to compete.  And the more competitors we have, the better it is for everyone involved.  Sponsors have input into the final name of the race they support, and benefit from visibility and exposure not only to the live betting public at Arapahoe Park, but to audiences viewing via simulcast in many states, and via taped delay on Colorado’s satellite TV “Altitude Channel”.   Please give it some thought, and let us know if we can count on you for sponsorship support. 
In addition to our stakes and overnight events, COBRA is very excited to launch the pilot of a new program in Colorado this season, the MVP Participation Series.  This is a participation points system, coupled with a series of $3200 claiming races, and culminating in a lucrative stakes race.  The MVP Participation Series is designed to:
~foster a racing environment where all horses, not just top contenders, can be competitive;
~encourage overall participation and support of the race meet; and
~boost morale and entice more owners and trainers to take part in Arabian racing.

The Participation Points System grants 10 points per start, per horse, for each race at the 2008 Colorado race meet, except $3200 claiming races, which will have 0 points value.  Participation Points will be tracked by the Arabian Breed Representative and provided to the Racing Secretary prior to the date of entry for the MVP Handicap.  

The Claiming Series consists of four separate $3200 claiming races, called MVP Qualifiers, which will run at a variety of distances (6 furlongs, 7 furlongs, 1 mile and 1 1/8 mile).

Finally, the cherry on the “participation sundae”, is the MVP Handicap, a stakes race worth $25,000 added, going 1 mile 70 yards, specifically for horses who have started twice for a $3,200 claiming price since May 24, 2008, and who have accumulated at least 10 Participation Points prior to date of entry.  The field of 12 starters in the MVP Handicap will be determined by Participation Points earned up to date of entry, and handicap weights will be assigned by the Racing Secretary.  There is a nominal fee for participation in the MVP Handicap - $25 to enter, $25 to start – but the purse payout structure will pay down to all places.  That’s right, all starters will receive a portion of the purse, as follows:
~Sixth through last place finishers, $1000 each; and
~Remainder divided First (50%), Second (20%), Third (12%), Fourth (10%) and Fifth (8%).

Colorado expects 100+ Arabian runners at the 2008 summer meet.  With that, we’re perfectly positioned for a competitive, exciting and entertaining season, not only for horsemen but for the betting public as well.  Come join us in Colorado for what will be our best season yet!  

Do you have questions or need some more information?  Let us know!  You can contact COBRA by email at cobra4racing@yahoo.com, or you can call our Breed Representative, Kathy Vinson, at (719) 339-8007.  We look forward to hearing from you.