OBS to convert to all-weather surface

The Ocala Breeders' Sales Company announced Friday that it is converting its

one-mile racetrack to an all-weather SAFETRACK surface. Manufactured by Andrews

Bowen Ltd., the new surface will be ready for the 2008 two-year-old sale season.

OBS conducts four two-year-old in training sales each year, with selected

sales in February and March, and open sales in April and June. The track is also

utilized as a public training center, with many of the area's horsemen taking

advantage of the facility.

"Our paramount concern is for the welfare of the horses offered for sale,"

OBS president Tom Chiota said. "We have long been committed to providing a safe

facility, and an all-weather surface will be a significant investment toward

achieving that goal. In addition to safety, the ability of SAFETRACK to handle

rain will ultimately lead to a more consistent racetrack throughout the duration

of the under tack shows."

The new surface is expected to be in place by mid-November, well in advance

of the OBS Championship Stakes card scheduled for February 11, 2008, and the

February selected two-year-old sale one day later.

The complete 2008 OBS auction schedule can be viewed online at obssales.com.