Schenectady, NY – The racing schedule and updated conditions for the 2019 New York Sire Stakes racing season were approved Monday (Dec. 17) at a meeting of the Agriculture and New York State Horse Breeding Development Fund Board of Trustees.

New York Sire Stakes and Excelsior Series racing will kick off Tuesday (May 7) at Yonkers featuring the 3-year-old filly trotters. The sophomore colt trotters will start on Friday (May 10) at Vernon Downs in preparation for the Empire Breeders Classic Eliminations and Finals for trotters there on May 12 and 27.

As previously announced, the NYSS “Night of Champions” will be held Saturday (Sept. 14) at Batavia Downs. The NYSS Consolations will be at Vernon Downs the following day. The Excelsior Finals are scheduled for Saturday (Sept. 21) at Saratoga Casino Hotel. Dates for the County Fair Racing Series will be announced in the coming weeks.

An update to the County Fair Conditions for 2019 is the change from a three-day to a four-day box. Declarations will now be required by 10 a.m. four days prior to the race. In addition, the County Fair conditions were changed so that in the event of a race cancellation, all horses on the grounds will receive a flat 10 points.

The full, updated conditions for the Excelsior Series and County Fair Series in 2019 can be found at the New York Sire Stakes website, along with the conditions for NYSS #60 for foals of 2018.

The Board approved more than $13.3 million in added purse money for the season, which with starting fees will mean total estimated purses of $14 million. This includes the $1.8 million for the “Night of Champions.” The Board also approved $1 million in Breeders Awards to be handed out in 2019 to the owners of resident broodmares.

A total of $150,000 has also been made available for next year’s grant program. An application will be available in early 2019 encouraging certified 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organizations to apply for consideration. Organizations are asked to review the Fund’s Grants Policy to determine their eligibility before applying.

“The New York Sire Stakes featured more than its share of extraordinary talent this past year as we saw historic performances and new records set,” said M. Kelly Young, executive director, Agriculture & NYS Horse Breeding Development Fund. “It promises to be another exciting season as champions return, and the offspring of past champions hit the track for the first time.”

Race replays, point totals, and news updates will be available throughout the season at nysirestakes.com and the official NYSS Facebook and Twitter accounts.

For more information, contact:
Jason Politi | Baker Public Relations
O: 518.426.4099 | M: 845.913.6394
jason@bakerpublicrelations.com
www.bakerpublicrelations.com

About the Agriculture and New York State Horse Breeding Development Fund:
The Agriculture and New York State Horse Breeding Development Fund is a public benefit corporation established in 1965 by the Laverne Law (Laws of New York, Chapter 567 of the Laws of 1965). The mission of the fund is to promote agriculture through the breeding of Standardbred horses and the conduct of equine research within the state. To carry out its legislative mission, the Fund administers the New York Sire Stakes Program. Additionally, the Fund provides assistance to county agriculture societies and contributes to the statewide 4-H program and to the Harry M. Zweig Fund for Equine Research.