by Jerry Connors, for the PA Harness Racing Commission

Harrisburg, PA — The Pennsylvania Harness Racing Commission reminds horsemen that Pennsylvania-sired yearlings must be nominated to the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes, with the first supplemental nominations, for those missing the regular May 15 deadline, requiring postmarking by Dec. 31.

Owners who pay after this date will incur a higher fee during the Jan. 1–March 15, 2014 period, and must also make the March 15 2-year-old payment.

Postmark deadlines for early 2014:

Stallions standing in Pennsylvania must have their registration paperwork postmarked by February 1 to be eligible for the Sire Stakes and Harness Breeders Fund programs.

Owners who want their broodmares foaling in 2014 to participate in the State Harness Breeders Fund program must have the proper paperwork postmarked by February 15. These mares, bred to Pennsylvania-registered stallions, must be stabled in Pennsylvania for 180 contiguous days which include foaling in-state.

The first round of Sire Stakes racing eligibility payments must be postmarked by March 15.

For supplementary nomination forms of yearlings contact Jerry Connors (gconnors@pa.gov) or Pennie Dodson (pdodson@pa.gov), or call 717.787.5539.