by Gerry Connors, the Pennsylvania Harness Racing Commission

Harrisburg, PA — Horsemen are reminded that those broodmare owners who want to receive the higher tier of the new Pennsylvania Standardbred Development Fund awards must declare their mares to be “resident” with the Harness Racing Commission before the mare foals.

The Breeders Fund has two levels of awards for broodmare owners: the higher rate goes to the owners of mares who reside in Pennsylvania for 180 continuous days surrounding the birth of the foal, while the lower tier awards will go to any breeder using a Pennsylvania sire.

The entry form with the headline “Declaration of 180-Day Residency Requirement” is the one to send to the Commission Office, and one must be submitted for every “resident” mare, every year, regardless of whether the mare has previously been listed as a “permanent Pennsylvania resident” or not, because some lifetime resident mares do move away without the Commission office being notified — hence the yearly paperwork.

Forms are available online at www.agriculture.state.pa.us; click “Commissions” on the left-side menu, then follow from there. They may also be obtained through mail, e-mail, or fax from the Commission office: 2301 N. Cameron St., Rm 301, Harrisburg, PA 17110; gconnors@state.pa.us; (717) 787-5539.