The series combines a behind the scenes look into buying, training and racing horses with a live broadcast of the first ever American Dream Derby horse racing event.

In Friday’s press release, GSN President and Chief Executive Officer Rich Cronin said:

"Horse racing has always been a part of America's culture, but with the recent popularity of 'Seabiscuit' and the tremendous success of reality programs allowing contestants to 'live the dream,' the time is right for this series.

“The American Dream Derby will make ordinary fans into owners, taking them through all the high powered deal making, glamour and intense competition that happens behind the scenes in this sport of kings."

The American Dream Derby will feature six horse racing fanatics who, but for the show, would never have the resources (money, connections or expertise) to realise this dream.

The series will follow the six contestants as they are broken up into two groups of three, with each group guided by a top trainer.

The trainers will help each of the six contestants through the process of selecting and buying horses in claiming races, hiring jockeys and training for the ultimate race.

GSN will stake each contestant up to US$25,000 to buy their own thoroughbred.

The release notes that Funny Cide, last year's Kentucky Derby winner, was originally purchased in 2001 for US$22,000.

After the contestents purchase their horses, they will have to hire a jockey and train their horse.

The training facilities will reportedly be one of the top stables in the US.

GSN viewers will be able to follow the training and competition on-air in the weekly episodes and online at GSN.com.

The six horses will compete in several races against to establish their track records leading up to the final live race event, the American Dream Derby, which will feature all six horses competing against each other for the first time.

For the final race, viewers in states where it is legal will be able to place their bets online.

Fans will also be able to wager in person at the track that runs the event, and at other select tracks and off-track betting sites across the country.

In this winner take all endgame, one lucky champion will be awarded all six horses, a contract with their trainer, and a quarter of a million dollars in cash to fund their racing stable.

Stories covered in the seven-part series include the contestant search, which begins May 1, 2004 at GSN.com, where racing fans can download an application to become a contestant/owner.

Auditions will occur this summer at select racetracks across the country.

In addition to the contestant selection, episodes will cover the choosing of trainers, horses and jockeys and the actual training process.

As the contestants get closer to race day, and the pressure increases, all of the rivalries, bickering and jockeying for position will be captured on camera.

"The winning contestant of The American Dream Derby series will go from being an obscure fan to being the owner of a hot new stable of thoroughbreds with one of the best trainers in the country as their advisor.

It's the chance of a lifetime," said Cronin.

The American Dream Derby will begin production this summer and will air in early 2005.

Reaching 54 million Nielsen homes, GSN is distributed in the U.S. through all major cable systems and satellite providers.

The network is jointly owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment and Liberty Media Corporation.

For further media information visit GSN's press website via Related Resources.

Courtesy Of Standardbred Canada