by Gerry Connors, for the PA Harness Racing Commission

Harrisburg, PA — Breeders wanting to fulfill the requirements of the Pennsylvania Standardbred Breeders Fund, and thus have their mares foaling PA-sired babies in 2012 qualify as “residents” to generate Breeders Awards, must have their broodmare paperwork on the way to the PA Harness Commission by Feb. 15.

In order to qualify mares’ foals for generating PA Harness Breeders Awards, the broodmare must reside in Pennsylvania for 180 contiguous days (which can span calendar years), including the foaling, and the proper paperwork must be on file with the Commission.

If a shipping date or destination for the mare has not yet been determined, the paperwork still must be in the hands of the Commission by Feb. 15, stating if necessary that the information in question is to be decided soon — and then it is the breeders’ responsibility to provide this information, once decided, to the Commission, or the mare will not be registered in the program.

The Breeders Fund broodmare forms are obtainable by contacting the Commission at gconnors@pa.gov or pdodson@pa.gov, or by calling 717.787.5539 or 717.214.9053.

Finishing Lines: Something not due on Feb. 15 are any PA stakes payments — the first 2012 payments for 2- and 3-year-olds is March 15. Forms for those payments are available at the e-mails above, by calling the phone numbers above, or through this web link.