from harness publicists across North America

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

Feb. 16 deadline approaching for The Red Mile events

Lexington, KY—The Red Mile is proud to host its 2016 Grand Circuit meet from Sept. 29th to Oct. 9 and would like to remind all horsemen that the first stake payments for the Red Mile are due Feb. 16th. These payments for 3 year olds are part of the lucrative Grand Circuit meet totaling over $5 million in purses in 8 days. The Red Mile offers racing over one of the fastest, safest surfaces in the country and allows horsemen to be conveniently stationed in Lexington for the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale during the second week of the Grand Circuit meet.

In 2015, there was hardly a better place to race. The Kentucky Futurity ($527,000), Kentucky Filly Futurity ($262,000), and the Tattersalls Pace ($450,000) all had one division respectively. The Bluegrass Series for two-year-old trotting fillies had two $129,500 divisions. The 2016 Grand Circuit meet will again provide significant purses raced over the revered red clay.

The Feb. 16th payments for the $500,000 Kentucky Futurity and $500,000 Tattersalls Pace are $1,000 for colts. The $275,000 Kentucky Filly Futurity and the $275,000 Tattersalls Glen Garnsey are $500 for fillies. The Bluegrass series for 3 year olds requires a $550 payment by Feb. 16th for either sex. If a 3-year-old is currently ineligible for any of the races, a $5,000 supplemental payment can be made by February 16th. Complete conditions for all Red Mile stakes are available in the USTA Stakes Guide.

— Jay Hochstetler

Feb. 15 deadline approaching for Northfield Park events

Northfield, OH — Northfield Park reminds horsemen that Feb. 15 stakes payments are due for the track’s 2016 marquee events: $200,000 Battle of Lake Erie (Open Pace to be raced May 21); $175,000 Cleveland Trotting Classic (Open Trot to be raced July 2); $400,000 Carl Milstein Memorial (3-year-old pace to be raced Aug. 13); and $125,000 Courageous Lady (3-year-old filly pace to be raced Nov. 26).

Payments are made through the Hambletonian Society. Further information can be found at www.hambletonian.org or by calling the Society offices at 609.371.2211. Questions can also be directed to the Northfield Park Race Office at 330.467.4101.

— Ayers Ratliff

Delaware (OH) payments due

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 the Buckette (3-year-old filly trot) are due February 16. These payments are for foals of 2013.

The Little Brown Jug and Old Oaken Bucket will be raced Thursday, September 22 and the Jugette and Buckette on Wednesday, September 21.

The 2015 Little Brown Jug attracted 15 entries and went for a record purse of $677,000, making the 70th edition of the pacing classic the third richest sophomore colt pace last year. The 2015 was boosted thanks to an allocation from the Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association’s portion of the video lottery terminal revenue. The eventual “Horse of the Year,” Wiggle It Jiggleit captured the 70th Jug in dramatic fashion with a scant nose victory over Lost For Words in the decisive heat.

The 2015 edition of the $252,250 Jugette featured Sassa Hanover who defeated 11 rivals. Last year’s Old Oaken Bucket and Buckette were contested for $126,000 and $109,200 respectively.

The 2016 Delaware Grand Circuit meet will continue to feature five days of racing (Sunday, September 18 through Thursday, September 22). Monday’s card will have a special 3 p.m. post. Sunday and Tuesday will go postward at 1 p.m. The Jugette and Jug cards will retain their traditional 11 a.m. start time.

For more information or copies of the 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

February payments for all Hambletonian Society-serviced stakes due

Cranbury, NJ — The initial payment deadline for eligibility to more than 128 stakes events at 14 different tracks, headlined by the $1 million Hambletonian heats at The Meadowlands on Aug. 6 and the $5.8 million Breeders Crown events at The Meadowlands in October, is fast approaching.

Since Monday (Feb. 15), is a federal holiday (Presidents’ Day, with no mail service) payments for all Hambletonian Society-serviced stakes are due Tuesday (Feb. 16) and must be postmarked by midnight on Wednesday (Feb. 17), per USTA Rule 12.02.

Changes to the event landscape in 2016 include the transformation of the John Simpson Memorial races from stakes to early-closers featuring reduced nomination payments and starting fees; and the addition of the Liberty Bell for 2- and 3-year-old Pennsylvania-sired pacers and trotters at Harrah’s Philadelphia.

The W. N. Reynolds Memorial No. 62 sophomore pacing events have been canceled and refunded for 2016.

The Hambletonian Society services more than a hundred of harness racing’s richest and most prestigious events and provides one-stop shopping for your staking needs. The website contains all the tools and information necessary to stake your horse yourself. All information pertaining to these races — racing conditions, payment forms and much more information — is now available online at www.hambletonian.org or by calling the Society offices at 609.371.2211.

In all cases only one check (U.S. funds) is ever necessary for each of the four payments periods: Feb. 15, March 15, April 15 or May 15.

— Moira Fanning

DSBF 3-year-old Feb. 15 payment due

Dover, DE — A $300 sustaining payment is due for Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund eligible 3-year-olds who made a March 15, 2015 payment of $100. This is the only payment before the declaration fees.

As the 15th falls on a federal holiday payments should be postmarked by Feb. 16.

It is strongly advised to use mail with a tracking number. Even UPS and Fed Ex are accepted.

For credit card payments please call and give all the information but still mail the form.

For forms and information call 302.698.4610 or e-mail Judy.Davis-Wilson@state.de.us.

— Judy Davis-Wilson

OSS 3-year-old payment due Feb. 16

Toronto, ON — Owners of Ontario Sire Stakes eligible 3-year-olds are reminded that Feb. 15 is the deadline for the 3-year-old OSS sustaining payment of C$700. However, since the 15th falls on the Family Day holiday this year, payments postmarked by Tuesday (Feb. 16) will be accepted.

Checks should be made payable and mailed (registered mail is recommended) to: Ontario Sires Stakes, 90 Sheppard Ave E., Suite 200, Toronto, ON M2N 0A4.

Sustaining forms were mailed mid-January. The form has now been posted on the OSS website for anyone who lost or did not receive one for their horse.

The C$500 OSS sustaining fee for 2-year-olds is due March 15 and reminder notices will be mailed this week.

For more information please contact: Karen Hauver, OSS Administration Coordinator, 519.369.3545

— Karen Hauver

NJSS and NJSDF payments due

Trenton, NJ — The deadline for the New Jersey Sire Stakes, Green Acres and Standardbred Development Fund’s first sustaining payments is rapidly approaching. Because Feb. 15 falls on Presidents’ Day this year, the deadline for mailing purposes will be Feb. 16.

The NJSS Premier Division will be contested exclusively again at The Meadowlands in 2016 starting in May for 3-year-olds and in July for 2-year-olds. The Green Acres Division, which will only be contested for 3-year-olds in 2017, begins Aug. 26 at Freehold Raceway. Once again this year, the NJSS rule is that the Green Acres Program is limited to horses that have earned less than $25,000 in New Jersey Sire Stakes Premier Division earnings during the current calendar year.

For 2016 2-year-olds the Green Acres Division is being replaced by a new series — the New Jersey Standardbred Development Fund. The SDF is open to all horses sired by a New Jersey-based stallion as well as the offspring of mares who have resided in New Jersey for a minimum of 150 days, regardless of where the sire stands. Previous registration of the mare while she is in foal and nomination are required to establish eligibility. The first SDF race will be held on Sept. 23 at Freehold Raceway, the location of all races in the series.

The NJSS Premier Division’s first sustaining payment remains $300 for both 2-year-olds and 3-year-olds. The initial Green Acres Division payment for 3-year-olds also remains $100, while $100 is also the amount of the first sustaining fee for 2-year-olds that are eligible to the Standardbred Development Fund.

Also on Feb. 16, a $650 supplemental 2014 yearling nomination (for foals of 2013) can be made for eligibility to the New Jersey Sire Stakes Premier Division and the SDF. Those fees are in addition to the sustaining payments for 2-year-olds also due on Feb. 16. The supplemental fee for the Sire Stakes Premier division is $850 if the foal was produced by an out-of-state breeding.

The first 2-year-old sustaining payments must be made in order to keep the horse eligible as a 3-year-old in 2017 to both the Premier Division and the Standardbred Development Fund, even if the horse does not race in 2016 as a 2-year-old. Supplemental yearling nominations are also due Feb. 17 for the NJSS-sponsored 2016 Lou Babic Open Pace ($500) and Babic Filly Pace ($400).

Sustaining payment and supplemental nomination forms, as well as race dates and other information, may be found on the NJSS website at www.newjerseysirestakes.com.

All payments must be in U. S. funds. No late payments will be accepted and no billing notices will be mailed. Certified mail is strongly recommended to NJSS, P.O. Box 330, Trenton, NJ 08625.

— Christopher Castens

Maryland staking payments due

Union Bridge, 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 2011 and 2012).

The 3-year-old payments (foals of 2013) are due to the Maryland Standardbred Fund and the Maryland Sire Stakes on Feb. 15.

All stallion pedigrees, staking forms, and stakes 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 for the Maryland Standardbred Race Fund: P.O. Box 540, Union Bridge, MD 21791.

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 or you may call 410.775.0152 (office) or my cell at 240.285.0326.

— Cheri Stambaugh

Meadowlands stakes nominations close Feb. 17

East Rutherford, NJ — The 2016 Grand Circuit stakes season at The Meadowlands will offer more than $14 million in purses including both the $1.7 million Hambletonian and Hambletonian Oaks and $5.7 million Breeders Crown.

A few new events have been added to the list of lucrative Meadowlands administered stakes led by the inaugural $150,000 (est.) Elitlopp Playoff for older trotters scheduled for the lone Sunday live race card on Mother’s Day, May 8. The Elitlopp Playoff is a joint venture between The Meadowlands and the Elitlopp Directors and is unique in that the race winner will be invited to compete in that great trotting classic in Solvalla, Sweden on Sunday (May 29). The use of trotting hobbles and Lasix are prohibited for this stake.

Another new development is that the popular Kindergarten Classic Series will have races for the 2-year-old pacers as well as trotters in 2016. There are five $10,000 legs scheduled from late July through late October with the $150,000 (est.) finals and $50,000 (est.) consolations to be raced on Nov. 5.

The Graduate Series for 4-year-old pacers and trotters returns with three $75,000 ($50,000 div.) legs beginning on May 21 at The Meadowlands. Mohawk Racetrack will host leg two on Saturday (June 4) and the third leg is at Tioga Downs on June 12. The $250,000 finals will be raced at The Meadowlands on Saturday (July 9) as part of the Meadowlands Pace elimination card.

The Meadowlands Pace is estimated at $750,000 this year and heads a stellar card that includes the $450,000 Hambletonian Maturity trot on July 16. Also returning is the $1 million TVG FFA Championships for all divisions of the older horses on Nov. 12.

Due to the Presidents’ Day holiday, nominations postmarked by Feb. 17 will be accepted.

A few important notes are that the Kindergarten and Miss Versatility payments will be taken by The Meadowlands this year and the condition that limited trainers to a maximum of two entries in stakes finals has been repealed for the 2016 races.

All pertinent information may be found on the Stakes Application page of The Meadowlands website. Any questions should be directed to The Meadowlands Racing Office at 877.782.2537.

— Meadowlands Media Relations

Cardinal and Violet nominations due Feb. 15

Stickney, IL — Hawthorne Race Course, the IHHA and the Illinois Department of Agriculture would like remind horsemen that nominating payments for the 2016 Cardinal and Violet Stakes, to be contested at Hawthorne Race Course, are due to the Illinois Department of Agriculture by Monday (Feb. 15).

The 3-year-old Violet and Cardinal finals for trotters will be held on Thursday (July 14), with eliminations on July 7. The 3-year-old Violet final for filly pacers will be held on Friday (July 15), with eliminations on July 8. The 3-year-old Cardinal final for colt and gelding pacers will be held on Saturday (July 16), with eliminations on July 9. Dates are subject to change. Purses for these races are yet to be determined.

The 2-year-old Violet and Cardinal Stakes are tentatively scheduled for late September at Hawthorne as well and those nomination payments are due on April 15.

Staking payments for the Cardinal and Violent events are made to the Illinois Department of Agriculture. Nomination forms and payment information may be found here.

Please continue to check the IDOA website or the IHHA website for updates. If you have questions, please call the Bureau of County Fairs & Horse Racing at 217.782.4231.

— Tom Kelley

Nominations to NA Cup, Fall Four and more close Feb. 16

Toronto, ON — The month of February has arrived and the deadline to make nomination payments to major Woodbine Entertainment Group stakes events is approaching. Nominations to several major stakes, including the C$1 million Pepsi North America Cup, close on Tuesday (Feb. 16).

The 32nd Pepsi North America Cup for the continent’s finest 3-year-old pacers will take place on Saturday (June 18) at Mohawk Racetrack.

Nominations also close on Feb. 16 for the C$700,000 Canadian Trotting Classic, C$480,000 Fan Hanover, C$400,000 Elegantimage, C$235,000 Goodtimes, C$225,000 Somebeachsomewhere and C$150,000 Casual Breeze.

The nomination fee to the Pepsi North America Cup and Canadian Trotting Classic is C$500 (US$370). The five other events carry a nomination fee of C$300 (US$225).

New in 2016, the Woodbine Entertainment Group will host a leg of the Graduate Series for 4-year-old pacers and trotters on Saturday (June 4) at Mohawk. The Graduate Series offers harness racing’s newest older competitors the opportunity to race in a stakes event restricted to 4-year-olds. A purse of US$75,000 will be offered up for both the pacing and trotting divisions during the Mohawk leg of the Graduate. The Mohawk stop of the Graduate Series is the second of three preliminary legs. The top point earners from the preliminary legs are eligible for the $250,000 finals on July 9 at The Meadowlands. The Graduate Series is administrated by Meadowlands Racing and Entertainment.

Returning to the WEG stakes calendar in 2016 is the “Fall Four” Stakes. The “Fall Four” Stakes for 2-year-olds offer lucrative purses for harness racing’s rookies and will take place on Saturday (Nov. 19) at Woodbine Racetrack. The “Fall Four” is made up of the C$565,000 Governor’s Cup for pacers, C$525,000 Valley Victory for trotters, C$465,000 Goldsmith Maid for filly trotters and C$425,000 Three Diamonds for filly pacers. The nomination fee to the “Fall Four” Stakes is C$350 (US$260).

To view the nomination sheet for the events closing Feb. 16, click here. To view the 2016 WEG Stakes booklet, click here. To make nomination payments online, click here.

If sending nominations by mail, envelopes must be clearly postmarked no later than Feb. 16 or payment will not be accepted. Registered mail is recommended. Any questions or concerns regarding the Feb. 16 closing can be directed to the Mohawk Race Office, 905.854.7805.

— Mark McKelvie

Nominations for Grand River Raceway’s ‘Battle’ races due Feb. 16

Elora, ON — Nominations for Grand River Raceway’s major races must be locked in by Feb. 16. Following the final sustaining payment on April 15, a list of horses eligible to start in the elimination races will be posted, kicking off a Twitter/Facebook contest which will a VIP lunch for four during the 26th annual Industry Day event on Aug. 1.

The 19th annual Battle of Waterloo (for Ontario-sired 2-year-old pacing colts) will be contested for an estimated C$200,000. In 2015, the race went to Magnum J, granting father-son/trainer-driver duo Gregg McNair and Doug McNair their third Battle of Waterloo title.

The eighth annual Battle of the Belles (for Ontario-sired 2-year-old pacing fillies) will be raced for an estimated C$140,000. Last year, Free Show was the victor, making David Menary and driver Jody Jamieson two-time stakes winners.

In the Twitter/Facebook Battle contest, players will use event hashtag #industryday26 and endeavor to name one Battle of Waterloo eligible which starts in the race’s elimination divisions the week before Industry Day. In 2015, there were 138 eligibles and 17 starters.

While both races (including the eliminations, consolations and finals) 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 both races here.

— Kelly Spencer

Payments for 50th Delvin Miller Adios, Meadows Maturity trots due Feb. 15

Washington, PA — The Meadows Racetrack & Casino would like to remind trainers and owners that payments for the 50th Delvin Miller Adios Pace for the Orchids and The Meadows Maturity Trots for 4-year-olds and up are due by Feb. 15.

Payment for the Adios, a premier event for 3-year-old pacers with an estimated $500,000 purse, is $600. That payment also maintains the eligibility of sophomore pacing fillies to the $150,000 (est.) Quinton Patterson Adioo Volo. Eliminations for the Adios take place Saturday (July 23), with the Adios final and the Adioo Volo set for the following Saturday (July 30).

The Meadows Maturity Trots include an event for mares (June 11) and a stake for stallions and geldings (June 18), each with an estimated purse of $50,000. A $300 nomination fee is due by Feb. 15, with a second payment of $600 due by March 15.

Checks for all events should be made payable to the Hambletonian Society. For more information, please contact the office of the race secretary, 724.225.9897.

— Evan Pattak

FSBOA stake payments due by Feb. 15

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

FL Breeders Stake – $100; FL Stallion Stake – $100; and Sunshine State Stake – $100.

Since the 15th is a holiday this year, payments postmarked by Tuesday (Feb. 16) will be accepted.

Sustaining forms and payment schedule are available on our website at www.myfsboa.com or contact Rosie Huff at 954.972.5400.

— Rosie Huff

Pocono deadline is Feb. 15

Wilkes-Barre, PA —Horsemen are reminded that nominations should be postmarked by Feb. 15 for the many varied early and late closers that will highlight the 51st racing season of The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono. The famed northeastern Pennsylvania oval will begin the 136-day race meet on Saturday (March 19).

The Bobby Weiss Late Closer for 3- and 4-year old horses will return this season in April with four events for non-winners of two extended pari-mutuel races or $20,000 lifetime as of and including Jan. 1, 2016. The separate events will be for male pacers, female pacers, male trotters and female trotters. Each Weiss will consist of four legs and a $30,000 final. The nominating fee will be $300.

The Pennsylvania All Stars, an early closer for Pennsylvania sired 2- and 3-year-olds, will again make their first appearance of the season with the 3-year-old male trotters on May 7 during the early afternoon card, which is part of a doubleheader on Kentucky Derby Day. Also on the evening card of May 7 will be the newest events — The Pennsylvania Classic for 3-year-old male pacers and the Miss Pennsylvania for 3-year-old filly pacers. The Pennsylvania Classic has an added purse of $500,000, while the Miss Pennsylvania has an added purse of $300,000. These events are restricted to Pennsylvania Sired horses. Also scheduled for May 7 will be the $50,000 Van Rose Memorial Invitational Pace.

The following weekend the Pennsylvania All Stars 3-year-old male pacers will be on Sunday (May 15) and 3-year-old filly pacers on May 16.

Nominations for the 3-year-old events of the Pennsylvania All Stars are due on Feb. 15. Nominations for the 2-year-old events are not due until March 15.

Sun Stakes Saturday will once again highlight the Independence Day weekend. The finals for the $500,000 Earl Beal Jr. Memorial 3-year-old open trot, $500,000 Max C. Hempt Memorial 3-year-old open pace, $300,000 James M. Lynch Memorial 3-year-old filly pace and $500,000 Ben Franklin FFA Pace will be on Saturday (July 2). The eliminations for these races will be one week earlier on June 25. If entries for the eliminations warrant, there will be a $75,000 consolation for the Beal, Hempt and Franklin and $50,000 for the Lynch.

August 20 will be Super Stakes Saturday, which features the $500,000 Battle of the Brandywine 3-year-old open pace, $500,000 Colonial 3-year-old open trot and $350,000 Valley Forge 3-year-old filly pace. Both the Battle and Colonial will offer $200,000 and $100,000 consolations, while the Valley Forge will have a $150,000 and $75,000 consolation. The unique racing conditions allow eligible horses to fit into their proper event based on their 2016 seasonal earnings up to the draw day.

Nominations to all the Late and Early Closing events at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono may now be postmarked by Feb. 15. Complete racing conditions and payment information for all these racing events can be found on The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono Horsemen page.

— The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono