by Moira Fanning, publicity director, the Hambletonian Society

Cranbury, NJ — Though Grand Circuit action at Lexington continues through Sunday’s Kentucky Futurity, Breeders Crown deadlines for the $5.6 million fall championship series on Saturday (Oct. 19) are imminent. All entries and declarations must be made through Rick Kane at the Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs race office.

High noon on Saturday (Oct. 5) is the deadline for invited foreign horses to declare into the $600,000 Breeders Crown Trot. French trotter Ready Cash, the richest horse in harness racing history with nearly $6 million in earnings, was the only foreign classic winner invited to compete in the 2013 Breeders Crown at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs. The connections of Ready Cash have declined the invite to the Crown in order to prepare for the 2014 racing season, which does tentatively include traveling to the Meadowlands to compete in the John Cashman Memorial.

Monday (Oct. 7), also at 12 noon, is the deadline for ineligible horses to supplement to the Crown. There are no supplements allowed in the 2-year-old division, but 3-year-olds and older can supplement to their respective events on a sliding fee scale.

The box closes on Tuesday (Oct. 8) at 9 a.m. at Pocono for all 12 divisions of eligible horses. The 3-year-olds also have the option of entering the sophomore event to which they were nominated or an Open event.

If eliminations are needed, 2-year-old colt trotters and 2-year-old filly trotters and pacers will compete in eliminations on Friday (Oct. 11) with a post time of 6:30 p.m. The 2-year-old colt pacers get an extra day and eliminations, if necessary, for that group and 3-year-olds and older will be on Saturday (Oct. 12), post time 6:30 p.m. Eliminations winners will draw for inside post positions one-five.

Special post time for the 14-race extravaganza in Wilkes-Barre on Oct. 19 will be 5 p.m. (EDT) with two invitational races scheduled as lead-off. TVG will broadcast live from Mohegan Sun, as will Sirius-XM Radio.

An autograph signing by Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt, former third baseman for the Philadelphia Phillies, a convertible car giveaway and much more ancillary hoopla will accompany the richest day in Pennsylvania racing.

For more information on racing conditions, eligible horses and elimination plans, go to www.hambletonian.org; all Breeders Crown news, stats and archives are there as well. Follow Breeders Crown on Twitter @Breeders Crown13 and be sure to use #Breeders Crown13. On facebook go to www.facebook.com/BreedersCrown.