Last call for Feb. 15 stakes payments

The Feb. 15 deadline is drawing near for many stakes payments. Below are the notices which have been submitted to the USTA Newsroom.

Red Mile 3-year-old stakes payments due Feb. 15

Lexington, KY — Red Mile has announced that stakes payments are due Feb. 15 for the Kentucky Futurity, Tattersalls Pace, and Bluegrass Series for 3-year-olds.

Complete information is available at this link.

— Connie Hochstetler

NYSS payments due Feb. 16

Schenectady, NY — The New York Sire Stakes 2021 stakes payments for 2-year-olds and 3-year-olds must be made online or postmarked by Tuesday (Feb. 16), due to the President’s Day holiday.  To make your payment online, visit nysirestakes.com. A generic payment form can also be found here to mail a payment.

If your payment is returned for any reason, please save all documentation and dated materials, including postmarks.

If you have any questions, contact the New York Sire Stakes at info@nysirestakes.com or 518.388.0178.

— Agriculture & New York State Horse Breeding Development Fund

First New Jersey Sire Stakes sustaining payments due Feb. 15

Trenton, NJ — The New Jersey Sire Stakes sustaining fee schedule will be as follows:

Premier Division: 2-year-old — $300 (Feb. 15) and $500 (April 15); 3-year-old — $300 (Feb. 15) and $500 (April 15)

Standardbred Development Fund Division: 2-year-old $100 (Feb. 15) and $150 (April 15); 3-year-old $100 (Feb. 15) and $150 (April 15)

Renaissance Pace: 2-year-old Open $700 (March 15); 2-year-old filly $400 (March 15)

Breeders Maturity: 4-year-old Open $200 (Feb. 15); 4-year-old mares $200 (Feb. 15)

Effective Jan. 5, the NJDA has relocated from its main location at 369 South Warren Street in Trenton. The mailing address remains at P.O. Box 330, Trenton, NJ 08625 and should continue to be used for all mailed correspondence. The physical address has changed to 200 Riverview Plaza, Trenton, NJ 08611. My desk phone number is 609.913.6514. The main number for the NJDA remains 609.292.3976. SADC employees can add that the main number for SADC remains 609.984.2504.

— Lynn Mathews

Last call for February stakes handled by the Hambletonian Society

Cranbury, NJ — The Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown thanks all stakeholders in harness racing for their support during a year filled with unexpected challenges and loss. The Society serviced 133 races in 2020, and thanks to the work of our partners, host tracks, owners and horsemen, only 12 races were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. More than $800,000 was returned to owners and nominators in staking fees within two weeks of every event cancellation. It was a process — and a year 00 we never want to repeat.

Enclosed are links to the payment forms and updates for the 147 races currently administered by the Society with payments due Feb. 15 (postmarked by Wednesday, Feb. 17), as well as the changes we have for 2021.

Payment forms are always available at www.hambletonian.com/formsinfo or by calling our office for fax and email options. All the forms on the website are pdf fillable. Just type in the form, print as many as you need and return the form with your payments.

Along with checks, ACH bill pay and wire transfers, we accept credit cards for stake payments, which are subject to a three percent service fee which will be added to the payment total.

The 2021 season has new races on the schedule: the Phil Langley Memorial for 3-year-old colt trotters and the Thanksgiving Classic Series for all 3-year-olds, both to be raced at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. The Madison County, previously an Early Closer for 2-year-olds, is now a single event — a $100,000 (est.) 2-year-old colt trot on Sept. 24 along with many other Hoosier Park races.

Also in 2021, the Hambletonian Society will service the PA-All Stars (a PA-bred Early Closer for 2- and 3-year-olds) and the returning Sun Stakes Early Closers at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono. The PHHA added the Delmonica Hanover for 3-year-old filly trotters, along with the Earl Beal Memorial (3CT), James Lynch Memorial (3FP), and Max Hempt Memorial (3CP).

Click here for the complete list of Hambletonian Society-serviced stakes.

Note: The Hambletonian Society Feb. 15 payment ad had incorrect dates of June 23-25 for the Star Destroyer at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. The correct date for those races is Thursday (Nov. 18).

Please be advised of the Stallion Restriction Condition that applies to the Cane Pace/Shady Daisy, Reynolds and Tompkins-Geers races that we service at The Meadowlands and Tioga Downs. An updated list of the foals for stallions who are on that list and aren’t eligible to the above mentioned races can be found on the Meadowlands website here: Stallion Restriction Condition.

The payment schedule and racing dates for the rest of the races we service are unchanged from 2020. Current racing conditions for the races we service can be found on our website under each specified race page.

In all cases only one check is ever necessary for each of the four payment periods: Feb. 15, March 15, April 15 or May 15.

For convenience, eligibility lists can be emailed to nominators who request them. Eligibility lists are always available on our website.

For further information, or to update your status on our mailing list, feel free to call 609.371.2211 or email davidjanes@hambletonian.org.

— Hambletonian Society

Yonkers stakes payments due Feb. 16

Yonkers, NY —  Following forced cancellations due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, MGM Yonkers Raceway is back this year with a full slate of stakes races for pacers and trotters of all ages. Nominations for three of the stakes for 2021 close on Feb. 16 and interested parties are encouraged to submit payments promptly to ensure a chance to race for more than $2 million in purse money.

The Borgata Pacing Series (formerly George Morton Levy Memorial) highlights the best older pacers in the sport. In 2019, Western Fame captured the $663,260 Borgata final. The series commences on March 15 this year with the first of five preliminary legs. Each round of the Borgata will now take place on Monday, the featured night of the week at Yonkers Raceway, replacing Saturday. A $5,000 nomination fee must arrive by Feb. 16 for horses to be eligible.

The mare companion race for the Borgata is the Blue Chip Matchmaker. Using it as a springboard to her Horse of the Year campaign, Shartin N took the $402,060 final of the Matchmaker in 2019. Interested pacing mares must submit a $4,000 nomination fee to be eligible for the opening leg on Friday (March 12).

The Borgata and Blue Chip Matchmaker finals are scheduled for Monday (April 19).

Nomination blanks for both races can be found on the Yonkers Raceway website.

Stakes season officially kicks off on March 2 at Yonkers Raceway with the M Life Rewards series for 3- and 4-year-olds of both sexes who are bon-winners of four races and/or $50,000 lifetime through Dec. 1, 2020. Those paying the $200 nomination fee by Feb. 16 will be eligible to either the male or female finals guaranteed to offer a purse of at least $50,000.

Yonkers would also like to remind owners and trainers of top 3-year-old trotters and pacers that the Hambletonian Society is accepting sustaining and supplemental payments for the $300,000 (gtd.) MGM Yonkers Trot, $300,000 (gtd.) MGM Grand Messenger, $125,000 (est.) New York New York Mile and $125,000 (est.) Park MGM Pace. Eliminations for all four races are slated for June 25. The finals take place on July 2. Click here for more information.

Yonkers Raceway will offer more than $3 million in stakes purse money and is scheduled to offer more live racing dates than any other Standardbred track in North America in 2021.

— Yonkers Raceway Media

Maryland stakes payments due

Ocean Pines, MD — Sustaining forms and possible payment are due Feb. 15 for the 4- and 5-year-old Open Maryland Sire Stakes for trotters and pacers (foals of 2016 and 2017).

Three-year-old payments (foals of 2018) are due to the Maryland Standardbred Fund and the Maryland Sire Stakes on Feb. 15.

All stallion pedigrees, staking forms, and stake dates are now available online including a printable calendar. Please use our website, www.msrfonline.com for all your current MSRF info and any updates as they become available.

We recommend that all payments be sent by certified mail. Please remember to check and make sure you use this address: Maryland Standardbred Race Fund, P.O. Box 1530, Ocean Pines, MD 21811.

As per regulation: If the due date for a payment falls on a weekend or a holiday observed in this State, the payment shall be timely if mailed bearing a postmark which is not later than the next business day. Since we have both a weekend and holiday a postmark of Feb. 16 will be accepted.

Regulations can be found on our website at www.msrfonline.com.

— Cheri Stambaugh/MSRF

DSBF 3-year-old payments due

Dover, DE — Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund 3-year-old payments must be postmarked by Feb. 16. The amount is $300.

The March 15, 2020, payment must have been made to be eligible.

It is strongly suggested to use mail which can be tracked along with UPS and/or Fed Ex.

Credit card payments are easily made from the Delaware Department of Agriculture online portal. If using this method be sure to enter the name of the horse in the field which says invoice number.

Forms were mailed to all eligible owners. A form is also available on the DSBF website.

Any questions call Judy Davis-Wilson at 302.698.4610 or e-mail Judy.Davis-Wilson@delaware.gov.

— Judy Davis-Wilson/DSBF

Delaware (Ohio) Grand Circuit sustaining payments due Feb. 15

Delaware, OH — Sustaining payments for the sophomore classics Little Brown Jug (3-year-old colt pace), Jugette (3-year-old filly pace), Old Oaken Bucket (3-year-old open trot) and Buckette (3-year-old filly trot) are due Feb. 15. These payments are for foals of 2018.

The sustaining payments are as follows: Little Brown Jug ($750), Jugette ($500), Old Oaken Bucket ($500) and Buckette ($400).

The Little Brown Jug and Old Oaken Bucket will be raced Sept. 23 and the Jugette and Buckette on Sept. 22.

The 2021 Delaware Grand Circuit meet will feature five days of racing (Sunday, Sept. 19 through Thursday, Sept. 23). The Sunday through Tuesday cards will go postward at 1 p.m.; the Jugette and Jug cards will retain a 12 noon start time.

For payment forms, please visit www.littlebrownjug.com.

Make checks payable and send all entries to: The Delaware County Fair, Tom Wright, P.O. Box 1560, Powell, OH 43065.

— Jay Wolf/Little Brown Jug

Woodbine stakes nominations due Monday 

Milton, ON — Nominations close Monday (Feb. 15) for all major events at Woodbine Mohawk Park and stakes at various tracks across Ontario. The Feb. 15 date is also the deadline to purchase a slot in the Mohawk Million.

All events closing on Feb. 15 are listed below. All purses are estimates, except for the C$1 million guaranteed purses for the Pepsi North America Cup and Mohawk Million.

Pepsi North America Cup (3-Year-Old Pace) – C$1 Million
Mohawk Million (2-Year-Old Trot) – C$1 Million
Armbro Flight (Filly and Mare Trot) – C$250,000
Canadian Pacing Derby (Open Pace) – C$600,000
Canadian Trotting Classic (3-Year-Old Trot) – C$600,000
Casual Breeze (3-Year-Old Filly Trot) – C$180,000
Elegantimage (3-Year-Old Filly Trot) – C$375,000
Eternal Camnation (2-Year-Old Filly Pace) – C$240,000
Fan Hanover (3-Year-Old Filly Pace) – C$450,000
Goodtimes (3-Year-Old Trot) – C$250,000
Maple Leaf Trot (Open Trot) – C$600,000
Metro Pace (2-Year-Old Pace) – C$850,000
Milton (Filly and Mare Pace) – C$250,000
Nassagaweya (2-Year-Old Pace) – C$220,000
Peaceful Way (2-Year-Old Filly Trot) – C$400,000
Roses Are Red (Filly and Mare Pace) – C$330,000
She’s A Great Lady (2-Year-Old Filly Pace) – C$540,000
Somebeachsomewhere (3-Year-Old Pace) – C$190,000
William Wellwood Memorial (2-Year-Old Trot) – C$610,000
Note: The winner of the William Wellwood Memorial receives a slot in the Mohawk Million.

To download the 2021 Woodbine Standardbred Stakes Booklet, click here.

Woodbine Entertainment also handles the administration of stakes races contested at various tracks across Ontario. Nominations close Feb. 15 for the following events:

Grand River Raceway
Battle of Waterloo (Ontario Sired 2-Year-Old Pace) – C$240,000
Battle of the Belles (Ontario Sired 2-Year-Old Filly Pace) – C$160,000

Flamboro Downs
Confederation Cup (4-Year-Old Pace) – C$185,000

Hanover Raceway
Balanced Image (Ontario Sired 2-Year-Old Trot) – C$40,000
Dream Of Glory (Ontario Sired 3-Year-Old Trot) – C$50,000

Clinton Raceway
Kin Pace (Ontario Sired 3-Year-Old Filly Pace) – C$50,000

Sustaining payments are also due Feb. 15 for the following events at Woodbine Mohawk Park:

2021 Simcoe Filly Stakes (Foals of 2018)
2021 Simcoe Open Stakes (Foals of 2018)
2021 SBOA (Ontario Sired 3-Year-Old Filly Pace and Trot)

Full information for all stakes and other racing related items can be found by visiting www.Woodbine.com/Mohawk/Horsepeople/.

Woodbine Entertainment encourages all horsepeople to submit payments online by clicking here.

If sending nominations by mail, envelopes must be clearly postmarked no later than Feb. 15 or payment will not be accepted. Registered mail is recommended.

— Mark McKelvie/WEG Media

Battle nominations due Feb. 15 and new formatting announced for 2021

Elora, ON — Nominations for Grand River Raceway’s Battle of Waterloo and Battle of the Belles must be locked in by Feb. 15.

The 24th annual Battle of Waterloo (Ontario-sired 2-year-old open pace) will be contested for an estimated C$240,000 on Monday (Aug. 2). The 13th annual Battle of the Belles (Ontario-sired 2-year-old pacing fillies) will be contested for an estimated C$160,000.

New formatting was recently announced for both events in 2021. If eliminations are required the week prior (Monday, July 26), elimination winners will draw for post positions number one through five in the final. All other finalists will be placed in an open draw for the remaining post positions.

While both races (including the eliminations) will be contested at Grand River Raceway, the Woodbine Entertainment Group will handle the stakes administration. As noted on the nomination forms, all payments must be made payable to, and sent to, WEG.

Download nomination forms and complete conditions for the Battle of Waterloo and Battle of the Belles here (page 27 and 28).

— Jenna Knox/Grand River Raceway

Mohawk Million slot purchases due Feb. 15

Milton, ON — The deadline to purchase a slot in the Mohawk Million, harness racing’s richest race for 2-year-olds, is quickly approaching on Monday (Feb. 15).

The Mohawk Million for 2-year-old trotters follows a “buy-in” formula with nine slots available for purchase, each priced at C$100,000. The million-dollar race is scheduled for Saturday (Sept. 25).

“We’re hopeful that the Mohawk Million can continue to grow in 2021 and build a legacy in our sport,” said Jim Lawson, CEO of Woodbine Entertainment. “A race like the Mohawk Million has a large impact on all parts of our industry, including our racetrack, owners, breeders, sales and fans.

“We appreciate the support of our key industry stakeholders to help grow a world class racing event.”

The Mohawk Million is one of only three million-dollar races in North American harness racing and purchasing a slot will guarantee a spot in the prestigious race. Each slot is considered an entity that may be sold, traded or leased. The slot holder does not have to declare a horse for the Mohawk Million until the week of the race.

The inaugural Mohawk Million was captured by Venerate, a son of French Stallion Love You. Venerate, who was recently named a Dan Patch Award winner, held off O’Brien Award winning filly Donna Soprano for the million-dollar race victory.

The deadline to purchase a slot is Feb. 15 and a C$50,000 nomination fee is required when submitting a slot contract for the Mohawk Million. The remaining C$50,000 is then due by June 1.

Any requests for information or purchases of a slot can be directed to Bill McLinchey, Director of Standardbred Racing, at bmclinchey@woodbine.com.

— Mark McKelvie/WEG Media

FSBOA stakes payments due by Feb. 15

Pompano Beach, FL — FSBOA stakes payments are due by Feb. 15 for 3-year-old Florida breds.

The payments are as follows: FL Breeders Stake – $100; FL Stallion Stake – $100; and Sunshine State Stake – $100.

Sustaining forms and payment schedule are available on our website at www.floridaharnessracing.com.

— Rosie Huff/FSBOA

Last call for Kentucky Proud Series (County Fair Racing) and Sire Stakes nominations

Lexington, KY — The first nomination payment for the Kentucky Proud Series (County Fair Racing) is to be postmarked no later than Feb. 15. The cost is $50. The sustaining payment is due in April.

To be eligible, your 2- or 3-year-old either had to be sired by a registered Kentucky stallion or a product of mare that was in the Kentucky residency program. You can find more on these requirements by clicking here.

Nomination forms can be found here.

The first payment for 3-year-old Kentucky Sire Stake eligible horses must also be postmarked no later than Feb. 15. The cost is $300. The next two payments for 3-year-olds will be in March and April.

Two-year-old payments are due in March, April and May.

In order for a horse to remain eligible for their 3-year-old year, they must make the first payment as a 2-year-old. Yearling nominations are due in May.

Nomination forms can be found here.

More information can be found by clicking here or by going to www.khha.net.

— Amanda Stephens/KHHA

Back to Top

Share via