Cranbury, NJ — The Hambletonian Society, which owns and administers the $6 million Breeders Crown series, will raise the purses on seven of the 12 divisions of the Breeders Crown championship races to held at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Oct. 25 and 26.

“In recent years the Breeders Crown program has enjoyed support on all fronts — from breeders, owners, trainers and stallion nominators, and we always strive to keep our purse levels high while maintaining the future stability of the program,” said John Campbell, president of the Hambletonian Society. “It’s important to give owners return on their stake payments, particularly for the 2-year-old divisions, as quickly as possible.”

For the fifth straight year the 2-year-old Breeders Crown events will be raised to $600,000, making them among the richest offered for the age group in North America.

An additional $50,000 will be added to each of the mare events and $100,000 to the open pace. The Breeders Crown Mare Trot and Pace will now race for $300,000 each and the Breeders Crown Pace for $500,000. The Crown Trot and all four sophomore divisions remain at $500,000.

The Society has a mission statement incumbent on supporting and promoting the breeding of Standardbred horses, and raising 2-year-old purses provides immediate benefit to breeders, owners and yearling buyers.

The 2019 Breeders Crown will take place over two nights in October, with the host track of Woodbine Mohawk Park creating a festive weekend of events surrounding the races. The parent group, Woodbine Entertainment Group, has hosted more Breeders Crowns from 1984 to the present than any other entity, with one at Greenwood, 91 at Woodbine and 64 at Mohawk.

Eliminations for 2-year-old races will be held Friday (Oct. 18), while 3-year-old and older eliminations will race Saturday (Oct. 19). The freshmen Breeders Crown finals take place Friday (Oct. 25) and the eight 3-year-old and up events are set for Saturday (Oct. 26).

Harness Racing’s Championship Series Presented by Woodbine Mohawk Park — 12 Events — $6.5 Million estimated in Purses

Friday (Oct. 25)

$600,000 Breeders Crown 2-year-old Colt Trot
$600,000 Breeders Crown 2-year-old Filly Trot
$600,000 Breeders Crown 2-year-old Colt Pace
$600,000 Breeders Crown 2-year-old Filly Pace

Saturday (Oct. 26)

$300,000 Breeders Crown Mare Trot
$300,000 Breeders Crown Mare Pace
$500,000 Breeders Crown 3-year-old Filly Trot
$500,000 Breeders Crown 3-year-old Colt Trot
$500,000 Breeders Crown Trot
$500,000 Breeders Crown Pace
$500,000 Breeders Crown 3-year-old Filly Pace
$500,000 Breeders Crown 3-year-old Colt Pace