from harness publicists across North America

The March 15 deadline is drawing near for many stakes payments. Below are a list of notices that have been submitted to the USTA Newsroom.

Hill, Ewart, Jug Preview nominations due March 15

Columbus, OH — Eldorado Scioto Downs will host a trio of Grand Circuit events in 2017, of which nominations must be post marked by Wednesday (March 15).

The Charlie Hill Memorial Trot, scheduled for Saturday (June 10) with a purse of $200,000, has a one-time payment of $500. The event is for 4-year-old and up trotters with the highest lifetime earnings that enter.

The Jim Ewart Memorial Pace and the Jug Preview are slated for closing night (Saturday, Sept. 9). The Ewart is for stallions and geldings 4-years-old and up that have the highest lifetime earnings that enter, with an estimated purse of $225,000. The one time nomination payment for the Ewart is $500.

The Jug Preview will return to Scioto Downs in 2017 after a 10-year hiatus and is for the top 3-year-old money winners in 2017. The 3-year-old colt Ohio Sires Stakes champion will receive an automatic entry into the Jug Preview, which has an estimated purse of $150,000. The nomination payment is $250.

Any questions concerning the three Grand Circuit races that Scioto Downs will be hosting may be directed to the race office at 614.295.4668.

— Jason Roth

WEG sustaining payments due Wednesday

Campbellville, ON — The first round of sustaining payments for Woodbine Entertainment Group and Alliance stakes events are due this Wednesday (March 15).

The C$1 million Pepsi North America Cup attracted 60 nominees in February and the connections of those 3-year-old pacers are required to make a March 15 sustaining payment in order to remain eligible to Canada’s richest harness race on Saturday (June 17) at Mohawk Racetrack.

The full list of WEG stakes requiring a March 15 sustaining payment are: Pepsi North America Cup (Pace: 3-Year-Olds), Canadian Pacing Derby (Pace: 3-Year-Olds and Up), Canadian Trotting Classic (Trot: 3-Year-Olds), Maple Leaf Trot (Trot: 3-Year-Olds and Up), Fan Hanover (Pace: 3-Year-Old Fillies), Elegantimage (Trot: 3-Year-Old Fillies), Casual Breeze (Trot: 3-Year-Old Fillies), Goodtimes (Trot: 3-Year-Olds), Somebeachsomewhere (Pace: 3-Year-Olds), Metro Pace (Pace: 2-Year-Olds), She’s A Great Lady (Pace: 2-Year-Old Fillies), William Wellwood Memorial (Trot: 2-Year-Olds), Peaceful Way (Trot: 2-Year-Old Fillies), Nassagaweya (Pace: 2-Year-Olds), Eternal Camnation (Pace: 2-Year-Old Fillies), Roses Are Red (Pace: Mares), Milton (Pace: Mares), and Armbro Flight (Trot: Mares).

The following Alliance stakes require a March 15 sustaining payment: Battle of Waterloo (Pace: 2-Year-Olds), Battle of the Belles (Pace: 2-Year-Old Fillies), and Confederation Cup (Pace: 4-Year-Olds).

Sustaining payments are also due Wednesday for the 2017 WEG/SBOA Filly Stakes for Ontario sired 3-year-olds and the 2017 Champlain Stakes for 2-year-olds of both sexes (foals of 2015).

To view full information regarding each stakes event and payments, click here.

To make sustaining payments online, click here.

If sending payments by mail, envelopes must be clearly postmarked no later than March 15 or payment will not be accepted. Registered mail is recommended.

Any questions or concerns regarding stakes payments can be directed to the Mohawk Race Office, 905.854.7805.

— Mark McKelvie

March 15 deadline for Southern Valley Colt Circuit nominations

Dover, DE — Just a reminder that nominations for the Southern Valley Colt Circuit (as well as the other fair circuits in Ohio) are due on or before March 15.

The $450 across the board payment that makes a horse eligible to all 10 fairs in the Southern Valley Colt Circuit, plus a $35 membership fee; or a $60 per fair nomination as well as the $35 membership fee; should be mailed to Southern Valley Colt Circuit, Rod Newhart, Secretary, 1700 N. Dupont Hwy G101, Dover, DE 19901.

And don’t forget that if you stake across the board in the SVCC, you are eligible to nominate a horse to three other fairs in either the Home Talent Colt Stakes, the Ohio Colt Racing Association and/or the Western Ohio Colt Racing Association for $25 per fair. Please fill out the nomination forms located in the staking booklet provided by the OHHA for that circuit and send it along with a check made out to that circuit with your nomination and they will forwarded on to the proper circuit.

The SVCC welcomes the Muskingum Co. Fair at Zanesville back into the circuit, bringing us back to 10 fairs in beautiful Southeastern Ohio. Along with Zanesville, the circuit consists of the Jackson Co. Fair (Wellston), the Pike Co. Fair (Piketon), the Athens Co. Fair (Athens), the Meigs Co. Fair (Rock Springs), the Monroe Co. Fair (Woodsfield), the Noble Co. Fair (Caldwell), the Washington Co. Fair (Marietta), the Morgan Co. Fair (McConnelsville) and the Guernsey Co. Fair at Old Washington.

— Rod Newhart

Delaware (OH) Grand Circuit, OBC and OFRC payments due

Delaware, OH — Two-year-old sustaining payments for the 73rd edition of the Little Brown Jug, the 48th Jugette, the 66th Old Oaken Bucket (3-year-old open trot) and the 67th Buckette (3-year-old filly trot) are due March 15. These payments are for foals of 2015 and will be raced in 2018.

Sustaining payments are also due for the 78th Standardbred 2-year-old colt and filly stakes for foals of 2015 to be raced in 2017.

The $800,000 est. Ohio Breeders Championships (2-and 3-year old events) require a single $300 nomination payment due March 15, with no further sustaining payments required. The new OBC aged events will have a $100 nomination fee.

The Delaware County Fair is pleased to be a part of the Ohio Fair Racing Conference in 2017. The OFRC events require either a $75 nomination fee for just the Delaware County Fair or $330 for all the OFRC events. Nominations for the ORFC events must be postmarked by March 15 and sent directly to the Ohio Harness Horseman’s Association, 850 Michigan Ave. – Suite 100, Columbus, OH 43215.

The 5-day Delaware Grand Circuit meet opens Sunday, Sept. 17 and will run through Thursday, Sept. 21.

Make checks payable and send all entries to: The Delaware County Fair, Tom Wright, P.O. Box 1560, Powell, Ohio, 43065.

For the latest news, information and nomination forms, please visit the Little Brown Jug website: www.littlebrownjug.com.

— Jay Wolf

SBOANJ payments due March 15

Manalapan, NJ — There seems to be some confusion about SBOANJ sponsored races that will be held in 2017. View the current 2017 payment schedule here; many sustaining payments are due March 15.

As you know, the New Jersey Classic and the Miss New Jersey events were announced as canceled earlier in the year. However, the legality of the race cancelation has been questioned. There is a court hearing scheduled this month to determine if the races will be held. Therefore, we are extending the final payment for these two events until March 31, at which time we should know the outcome of the litigation.

Please continue to check the website or contact the office for further updates.

— Courtney Stafford

March payment deadline for Hambletonian Society-serviced stakes approaching

Cranbury, NJ — March sustaining and nominating payments to 131 Hambletonian Society stakes events at 14 different tracks are due Wednesday (March 15) and per USTA Rule 12 section 2, must be postmarked by midnight on Thursday (March 16).

Please note that there is a separate Breeders Crown 2-year-old future eligibility payment of $500 due March 15 that maintains eligibility for the Breeders Crown 3-year-old events of 2018.

The Landmark, W.N. Reynolds Memorial, and the Tompkins-Geers races for 2-year-olds have been restructured as early closers that race in the year payments are collected. There will now be a single nomination fee per colt or filly due March 15 and a single sustaining fee due May 15, payable to the Hambletonian Society should you wish to participate in the race(s). The entrance fee to start in any division of the races will apply.

There is also a March 15 sustaining payment due for the new Pegasus Series for 3-year-old pacers and trotters to be raced at Hoosier Park as an undercard event to accompany the Breeders Crown weekend.

The Hambletonian Society services most of the sport’s richest and most prestigious events and provides one-stop shopping for your staking needs. The website www.Hambletonian.com contains all the tools and information necessary to stake your horse yourself.

All forms are available on the web site and are PDF fillable. Race conditions, payment forms and much more information are now available online, as well as eligibility lists for races that had a final payment on Feb. 15, 2017.

For additional information call the Society offices at 609.371.2211.

Listed here are the stakes with payments due for all ages March 15: Delvin Miller Adios (and Adioo Volo Filly division), Arden Downs Stakes, Battle of Lake Erie, Breeders Crown, Cane Pace (and Shady Daisy), The Carl Erskine, Centaur Stakes, Circle City, Cleveland Trotting Classic, Courageous Lady Filly Pace, Currier & Ives Trot (and Filly Trot), Dan Patch, Dayton Derby Trot and Pace, Dexter Cup (and Lady Suffolk Trot), The Elevation, Fox Stake, Hambletonian (and Hambletonian Oaks), Hoosier Park Pacing Derby, Hoosier Stakes, The Horseman, Kentuckiana Stallion Mgt. Filly Pace and Trot (for 2-year-old fillies), Keystone Classics, Landmark Stakes, Liberty Bell Early Closer (2- and 3-year-olds), Madison County (previously the Circle City for 2-year-olds), Matron Series, Messenger Stakes (and Lady Maud), Miami Valley Distaff, Monument Circle, Pegasus Series (New Early Closer for 3-year-olds), Progress Pace, W. N. Reynolds Memorial Early Closer, Art Rooney Pace (and Lismore Filly division), John Simpson Memorial Early Closer, The Crossroads of America, The USS Indianapolis Memorial, Tompkins-Geers Memorial Early Closer, Ralph Wilfong, and Yonkers Trot.

— Moira Fanning

DSBF March 15 payments due

Dover, DE — A $100 sustaining payment is due for DSBF eligible 2-year-olds who made the May 15, 2016 nomination payment of $40.

A 2-year-old who was not nominated can pay a supplement fee of $350 along with the March 15 $100 sustaining fee and a copy of the USTA registration papers.

It is strongly suggested to use mail with a tracking number, UPS, or Federal Express. All payments must be postmarked by March 15.

Second sustaining payments are due by May 15 in the amount of $200.

For forms and information call 302.698.4610 or e-mail Judy.Davis-Wilson@state.de.us or visit the website at www.desbf.com.

— Judy Davis-Wilson

OSS sustaining payments must be postmarked by March 15

Toronto, ON — Owners of Ontario Sires Stakes eligible 2- and 3-year-olds are reminded that March 15 is the deadline for OSS sustaining payments.

The payment is C$500 (US$400) for 2-year-olds and C$700 (US$565) for 3-year-olds. Checks should be made payable and mailed (registered mail is recommended) to: Ontario Sires Stakes, c/o Ontario Racing, 400-10 Carlson Court, Toronto, ON M9W 6L2.

Reminder Notices for these payments were mailed mid-February but anyone who did not receive one can download a blank form from the “Forms” section of the OSS website or just print the horse’s name and tattoo number on the front of their check.

For more information please contact Karen Hauver, OSS Administration Coordinator, 519.369.3545, records@ontariosiresstakes.com.

— Karen Hauver

Maryland 2-year-old payments due March 15

Union Bridge, MD — Two-year-old payments (foals of 2015) are due to the Maryland Standardbred Fund and the Maryland Sire Stakes on March 15.

This payment must be made to maintain eligibility.

All staking forms, race dates and stallion pedigrees are now available online. Please use our website for all your current MSRF info and any updates as they become available.

We recommend that all payments be sent by certified mail. Please use the following address for the Maryland Standardbred Race Fund, P.O. Box 540, Union Bridge, MD 21791.

Regulations can be found on our website at www.msrfonline.com or you may call 410.775.0152 (office) or my cell at 240.285.0326.

— Cheri Stambaugh

2018 Meadowlands Pace payment due March 15

East Rutherford, NJ — The 2018 Meadowlands Pace has a sustaining/supplemental payment due by March 15. This $400 sustaining payment continues eligibility for those foals of 2015 nominated as yearlings by the May 15, 2016 payment.

If that payment was not made, the horse may now be supplemented at a cost of $1,000. All future payments must be made to continue eligibility toward that 2018 stake.

Also be reminded that sustaining payments are due for all of The Meadowlands Grand Circuit stakes.

— Meadowlands Media Relations

Tioga Downs March 15 stakes information

Nichols, NY — Payments to make 2-year-olds eligible to and sustain or supplement 3-year-olds for the Empire Breeders Classic are due by March 15. The annual stallion nomination payment to make 2017 yearlings eligible to the 2019 EBC is also due.

Also due are the nomination payments to the Roll With Joe FFA pace, Crawford Farms FFA trot, Artiscape FFA mare pace and Joie De Vie (formerly known as the Muscle Hill) FFA mare trot, all of which will be raced at Tioga Downs in 2017.

Nomination forms complete with conditions and other pertinent info are available here.

The Tioga Downs Late Closing series that begin during the month of May also require a $300 nomination payment by March 15.

Check the website for information on these stakes and while you’re at it, download a stall application and mail it on in so you may enjoy a summer racing at the “Jewel of the Southern Tier” of New York.

— Tioga Downs

Ohio staking deadline approaching

Columbus, OH — The payment deadline for Ohio Sires Stakes, Ohio Fair Stakes, Ohio Breeders Championship, Ohio State Fair, Ohio Fairs Championship, Buckeye Stallion Series and others is March 15.

Ohio staking information and forms can be found on the front page of the Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association website, www.ohha.com.

— Regina Mayhugh

Nominations for Prix D’Ete due March 15

Trois-Rivieres, QC — For anyone with a promising 4-year-old pacer, nominations for the 2017 C$200,000 Prix D’Ete at the Hippodrome 3R must be made by March 15.

One of only a handful of opportunities restricted to just 4-year-old pacers, the Prix D’Ete is the showcase stakes event of the season at the Hippodrome 3R and will take place on Sunday (Aug. 20).

New this year is that horses that finish sixth through eighth will each get C$1,000.

To make nomination payments, owner/trainers can go to www.standardbredcanada.ca or to www.quebecjockeyclub.com and get the necessary nomination forms.

Please note there are no supplemental payments allowed for the Prix D’Ete. This first nomination payment must be made to be eligible.

The Prix D’Ete, once the richest and most prestigious race in Canada, was revived by the Quebec Jockey Club back in 2013. The inaugural revival saw Jimmy Takter’s Sunfire Blue Chip set the all-age Canadian and track record at 3R in 1:50.3. That record was tied the following year with All Bet’s Off scoring for the Ron Burke Stable. Then last year, 2015 Harness Horse of the Year Wiggle It Jiggleit came to 3R for Team Teague, only to come up second best to the Burke Stable’s Rockin Ron in a classic battle over a sloppy track in 1:52.

The 2017 race season gets underway at the Hippodrome 3R on Sunday (April 23) with a new post time of 12:50 p.m.

— Quebec Jockey Club

FSBOA stakes payments due March 15

Pompano Beach, FL — FSBOA stakes payments are due by March 15 for 2-year-old Florida-breds.

Payments are as follows: Florida Breeders Stake-$100; Florida Stallion Stake-$100; Sunshine State Stake-$50; and Melvyn Aylor Memorial-$150.

Sustaining forms and payment schedule are available on our website at www.floridaharnessracing.com or contact Rosie Huff at 954.972.5400.

— Rosie Huff