by Tom LaMarra, USTA Web Newsroom Correspondent

Lexington, KY — The Kentucky General Assembly has approved legislation that changes the definition of a Kentucky-bred Standardbred in order to facilitate growth in the Kentucky Sires Stakes program.

The bill is awaiting the signature of Gov. Steve Beshear.

Kentucky statute defines a Kentucky-bred Standardbred as a 2- and 3-year-old pacer and trotter sired by stallions standing in the state. The new language allows the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission to promulgate administrative regulations to determine the eligibility of horses in the stakes program.

The KHRC can implement eligibility and residency requirements for mares, stallions and their progeny. That would open the program up to horses sired by stallions in other states.

The Kentucky Sires Stakes program gets about $2 million a year from harness racing’s share of the Kentucky Breeders’ Incentive Fund.