METRO DETROIT AREA IS BACK IN THE HORSE RACE
Opening day of racing at Pinnacle Race Course, is Friday, July 18, 2008

HURON TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Opening day for the inaugural season of racing at Pinnacle Race Course, Michigan’s only thoroughbred race course, will be Friday, July 18, 2008.  The all new 320 acre Pinnacle Race Course(PRC) is located just south of Metro Airport in Huron Township. The new complex was developed by successful banker Jerry Campbell,  and his wife Felicia. Both are long-time licensed horse trainers and owners of thoroughbred horses.

The racing complex is to be completed in two phases: Phase one includes dirt track, a 12,000 sq. ft. corporate pavilion, an 8,000 sq. ft. covered patio, and 15 barns with 600 horse stalls. Phase two includes a four-story, 60,000 sq. ft. clubhouse – including nine restaurants, private suites and boxes; a 4,000-seat grandstand; completion of an additional 600 horse stalls and ancillary facilities; along with a turf (grass) track.



Joining the group is prominent racing executive and personality Lonny Powell, Chairman of LTPowell Gaming & Racing Ventures & Advisors Ltd.. He (Powell) will be the Pinnacle Race Course senior advisor to owner Jerry Campbell. Powell has been involved in the management side of racing for more than 26 years and has extensive management expertise in track operations, gaming, facility design, regulatory and governmental affairs, compliance and best practices, along with promotion and public relations.

"This is what you call, 'On the fly,' " Campbell, the 68-year-old majority owner of the $72 million track, told the Detroit News as he stood  in the nearly completed upscale pavilion, which will feature dining and a close-up look at the track.

It will be the first time thoroughbred racing has been on the east side of the state since the industry moved its operations from Detroit to Great Lakes Downs in Fruitport Township 10 years ago. Campbell was part of the investment group that transformed the former harness track in Muskegon into a thoroughbred facility.

During and after constriction of the new business, PRC will be providing jobs for more than 1,000 people at the track, 1,100 temporary construction workers and an estimated 20,000-plus “trickle-down” jobs, adding an annual economic benefit to Michigan estimated at $1.5 billion.



The 2008 inaugural season will include 63 scheduled race days. The initial phase of construction will include completion of the dirt track, 12,000 sq. ft. corporate pavilion and 600-900 horse stalls. Premium temporary seats and deluxe tents, similar to those used at the Breeders' Cup World Championships, Ryder Cup and Super Bowl XL, will allow racing to continue this summer while construction of the new grandstand, remaining horse stalls, ancillary facilities, and turf track are completed for 2010.

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 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.