Second weekend brings good crowds, great racing to Pinnacle Race Course

Valley Loot and It’s a Ego Thing win individual $50,000 stakes races

HURON TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Great crowds, great racing and great weather was the mantra
of the weekend at the new Pinnacle Race Course in Huron Township, Mich. More than 12,000 race fans attended the three days of racing that ended Sunday.

The big winners of the weekend’s two stakes races were Valley Loot, running in the Larkspur Handicap on Saturday, and It’s a Ego Thing, which ran in the Wolverine Stakes on Sunday. Each of the horses was awarded the winner’s share of the $50,000 in prize money. Valley Loot is owned by Kimberly Allen, the daughter of Pinnacle Race Course Chairman and CEO, Felicia (Lisa) Campbell. It’s a Ego Thing is owned by Randall Russell.

“It was a great weekend of Michigan thoroughbred racing,” said Pinnacle Race Course Founder Jerry Campbell. “We are grateful for the continued level of support and interest. Given the many positive comments we continue to receive from our guests, as well as owners, trainers, jockeys and others associated with the facility, we are well on our way to a successful launch.”

Completed for the inaugural season of racing at Pinnacle Race Course are a one-mile dirt track; corporate pavilion (events/sportsbar/simulcasting and group sales venue); covered patio area; 1,000 premium temporary seats and deluxe tents, similar to those used at the Breeders' Cup World Championships, Ryder Cup and Super Bowl XL; and, 15 barns with 600 horse stalls.



The track was created by world-renowned track designer Joseph H. King. King has been involved in the design and construction of many of the major new or rebuilt racing facilities in North America during the last 30 years, including Pimlico Race Course, Emerald Downs, and Indiana Downs.

Still planned for Phase II are a four-story, 60,000 sq. ft. clubhouse that includes private suites and boxes, and a 4,000-seat grandstand; 15 additional barns with another 600 horse stalls; a 100-room grooms’ quarters; jockey quarters; and, a 7/8 mile turf (grass) track, also designed by King.

The inaugural season at Pinnacle Race Course includes 63 days of racing through November 2, with racing beginning at 2:30 p.m. every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday, and at 4 p.m. on Sunday. This fall, Sunday racing will be replaced by Monday racing, also beginning at 2:30 p.m. Parking and admission are free for the inaugural season.

The 2008 schedule features $1,520,000 in stakes races, including the $720,000 Michigan Sires Stakes series on Saturday, October 18. The schedule provides opportunities for Michigan-bred thoroughbreds in a variety of divisions.

Pinnacle Race Course (www.pinnacleracecourse.com) is being developed by the “best of the best” in both track design and guest services, and will join an elite group of modern day race courses in the nation. Once completed, it will include state-of-the-art facilities for guests, jockeys, track employees and horses, and is designed as a family-friendly entertainment environment with areas for picnics and tailgating, equestrian and horse-jumping events, and other opportunities to see the horses up close. It offers opportunities for community schools and organizations to encourage school field trips and special tours to widen equine and agri-business appreciation, as well as educational seminars and classes. Pinnacle Race Course is located on 320 acres near Detroit Metro Airport in Huron Township, Mich., where it will be a major employer and community citizen.

Pinnacle Race Course is located at 18000 Vining Rd., New Boston, Mich. – east of I-275 (Sibley Rd. exit 13), south of I-94 (Middlebelt Rd. exit), between Pennsylvania and Sibley Roads where it will be a major employer and community citizen.