The February 15 deadline is drawing near for many stakes payments. Below are a list of notices that have recently been submitted to the USTA Newsroom. The following information regarding upcoming stakes payments is not meant to be a complete list of every required stakes payment. It is a list of only those notifications that have been provided directly to the USTA for posting here. For more information on payments, click here.
The best way to keep track of nominations and sustaining payments is with the USTA Stakes Guide. For more information, click here.
Delaware Standardbred Breeders’ Fund 3 YO payments due Feb. 15
Dover, DE – The $300 payment is due Feb. 15, 2026 (Feb. 17, 2026 due to the 15th being Sunday and the 16th a federal holiday) for any Delaware Standardbred Breeders’ Fund eligible 3-year-old.
The April 15, 2025 (OR 6-1-2025 LATE PAYMENT) must have been made as a 2-year-old to be eligible as a 3-year-old in 2026.
If you use USPS, please use a service with a tracking number. All payments must be postmarked by Feb. 17, 2026.
Credit cards are an acceptable payment through the online portal on the DSBF website at:
https://agriculture.delaware.gov/delaware-standardbred-breeders-fund/
Owners can make multiple payments on horses in one transaction.
Payments may be delivered in person. The Delaware Standardbred Breeders’ Fund office has moved from the Delaware Department of Agriculture to Harrington Raceway and Casino. If you need to make an appointment to drop off the payment, please call-in advance. Also, Mark Short will be in the Bally’s Dover Race Office until 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 16th for anyone racing to deliver payments.
For more information call (302) 698-4610 or E-mail Mark.Short@delaware.gov or visit Delaware Standardbred Breeders’ Fund – Delaware Department of Agriculture – State of Delaware.
from the Delaware Standardbred Breeders’ Fund
Maine 2 & 3 YO Sire Stakes payments due Feb. 15
Augusta, ME – Maine Sire Stakes continuation forms for both 2- and 3-year-olds are due by Feb. 15.
Late fees are substantial if the deadline is missed.
Forms are available by clicking here.
Following is the schedule of fees for Maine Sire Stakes:
February 15 – Continuation Fees
2-year-old $20
3-year-old $50
May 15 – Yearling Nomination – $20
At Declaration – Starting Fees
2-year-old $75
3-year-old $100
from Maine SBOA
Meadowlands Stallion Stakes & EC participation payments on foals of 2025
East Rutherford, NJ – The Meadowlands will require a Stallion Early Closer Participation Payment to provide eligibility for their foals of 2025 for Meadowlands Stakes & Early Closers that comes due (postmarked by) Feb. 15, 2026.
(The payment made last September was on the foals of 2024 to race as 2-year-olds in 2026. This is a separate payment and covers a different crop of foals. It is the same process as was executed in September and our hope is that we can repeat that level of efficiency.)
The Stallion Restriction Condition (Gural Rule) will be waived and the 2025 foals by all participating (paid in) stallions will be eligible for nomination to all Meadowlands Stakes & Early Closers for the life of the horse.
The timing of the payment will accommodate yearlings by participating stallions to make the May 15 yearling nomination payment for the 2028 Meadowlands Pace along with the 2027 Meadowlands Early Closer Participation payment (TBD in 2027) and all subsequent required nominating and sustaining payments as written in the conditions for the entirety of their racing careers.
A payment equal to 50% of one 2024 breeding fee (or a minimum of $1,000) will be required on those stallions standing in North America for the 2024 breeding season to make their foals of 2025 eligible to be nominated to Meadowlands Stakes & Early Closers for the life of the horse is due (postmarked by) February 15, 2026.
There is no fee for stallions standing solely outside North America. All payments are in us dollars or the equivalent. Canadian exchange should be the rate on the day payment is sent.
Foals of 2025 by stallions who are not made eligible to this Meadowlands Stakes & Early Closer Participation will NOT be eligible for nomination to these races for the entirety of their racing careers and there is no recourse.
The list of stallions with their 2024 stud fee, resulting in the 2025 foals, and the form to make this payment are available on the web by clicking here.
from Meadowlands Media Relations