from harness publicists across North America

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

March payment deadline for all Hambletonian Society-serviced stakes

Cranbury, NJ — March sustaining and nominating payments for Hambletonian Society stake events are due Thursday (March 15) and per USTA Rule 12 section 4, must be postmarked by midnight on Friday (March 16).

The Hambletonian Society services 132 of harness racing’s richest and most prestigious events and provides one-stop shopping for your staking needs. The website www.Hambletonian.com contains all the tools and information necessary to stake your horse yourself.

Race conditions, payment forms and much more information is now available online. For additional information call the Society offices at 609.371.2211 or email davidJanes@hambletonian.org.

March 2018 2-Year-Old Payments Due
Delvin Miller Adios (and Adioo Volo Filly Division)
Arden Downs Stakes
Breeders Crown
Cane Pace (and Shady Daisy)
Currier & Ives Trot (and Filly Trot)
Dexter Cup (and Lady Suffolk Trot)
The Elevation
Fox Stake
Hambletonian (and Hambletonian Oaks)
Hoosier Stakes
The Horseman
Kentuckiana Stallion Mgt. Filly Pace & Trot (for 2YO Fillies)
Keystone Classics
Landmark Stakes Early Closer
Liberty Bell Early Closer
Madison County
Matron Series
Messenger Stakes (and Lady Maud)
Progress Pace
W. N. Reynolds Memorial Early Closer
Art Rooney Pace (and Lismore Filly Division)
John Simpson Memorial Early Closer
Tompkins Memorial & Geers Early Closer
Ralph Wilfong
Yonkers Trot

3-Year-Old Payments Due
Breeders Crown
The Carl Erskine
Circle City
Courageous Lady Filly Pace
Jenna’s Beach Boy
Keystone Classics
Landmark Stakes Early Closer
Liberty Bell Early Closer
Matron Series
Monument Circle
Pegasus Series Early Closer
W. N. Reynolds Memorial Early Closer
John Simpson Memorial Early Closer
The Crossroads of America
The USS Indianapolis Memorial
Tompkins Memorial & Geers Early Closer

Open Payments Due
Battle of Lake Erie
Breeders Crown
Centaur Stakes
Cleveland Trotting Classic
Dan Patch
Dayton Derby Trot and Pace
Hoosier Park Pacing Derby (previously the Indiana Pacing Derby)
Miami Valley Distaff

— Moira Fanning

Grand Circuit payments for Delaware meet due

Delaware, OH — Two-year-old sustaining payments for the 74th edition of the Little Brown Jug, the 49th Jugette, the 67th Old Oaken Bucket (3-year-old open trot) and the 68th Buckette (3-year-old filly trot) are due March 15. These payments are for foals of 2016 and will be raced in 2019.

Two-year-olds not nominated in the May 15, 2017 yearling payment may be made eligible through a supplemental nomination fee of $400 due on or before the March 15 payment. This supplemental payment is in addition to the normal March 15 payment.

Sustaining payments are also due for the 79th Standardbred 2-year-old colt and filly stakes for foals of 2016 to be raced in 2018.

The $965,000 (est.) Ohio Breeders Championships require a single $300 nomination payment due March 15 with no further sustaining payments required.

New to the 2018 Delaware County Fair race schedule are $15,000 legs of the Buckeye Stallion Series. To nominate to the BSS, a $250 nomination fee is due with no further sustaining payments required.

The Delaware County Fair is once again pleased to be a part of the Ohio Fair Racing Conference in 2018. The OFRC events require either a $75 nomination fee for just the Delaware County Fair or $330 for all the OFRC events.

Nominations for the BSS and ORFC events must be postmarked by March 15 and sent directly to the Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association, 2237 Sonora Drive, Grove City, OH 43123-2903.

The five day Delaware Grand Circuit meet opens Sunday (Sept. 16) and will run through Thursday (Sept. 20).

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

For the latest news, information and nomination forms, please visit the Little Brown Jug website: www.littlebrownjug.com.

March 15 Sustaining Fees:
Little Brown Jug No. 74 (3-Year Old Open Pace to be raced in 2019) — $500
Jugette No. 49 (3-Year Old Filly Pace to be raced in 2019) — $400
Old Oaken Bucket No. 67 (3-Year Old Open Trot to be raced in 2019) — $300
Buckette (3-Year Old Filly Trot to be raced in 2019) — $200
Standardbred No. 79 (2-year-old Colt Pace to be raced in 2018) — $400
Standardbred No. 79 (2-year-old Colt Trot to be raced in 2018) — $400
Standardbred No. 79 (2-year-old Filly Pace to be raced in 2018) — $300
Standardbred No. 79 (2-year-old Filly Trot to be raced in 2018) — $300

March 15 Nominating Fees:
Ohio Breeders Championships (To be raced in 2018) — $300

March 15 Nominating Fees (with payments to the Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association):
Buckeye Stallion Stakes (To be raced in 2018) — $250
Ohio Fair Racing Conference (2- and 3-Year-Old Events to be raced in 2018) — $75 or $330

— Jay Wolf

Woodbine stakes payments due Thursday

Milton, ON — Woodbine Entertainment would like to issue a final reminder to all horsepeople of the upcoming March 15 stakes payment deadline.

Thursday (March 15) is the deadline for the first round of sustaining payments for all Woodbine major stakes, including the C$1 million Pepsi North America Cup. A total of 79 3-year-old pacers were nominated to this year’s Pepsi North America Cup and their connections will need to submit a sustaining payment to remain eligible to Canada’s richest harness race. The Pepsi North America Cup is scheduled for Saturday (June 16) at Woodbine, Mohawk Park.

The following major stakes require a March 15 sustaining fee payment: Armbro Flight (Fillies & Mares Trot); Canadian Pacing Derby (Open Pace); Canadian Trotting Classic (3-year-old Trot); Casual Breeze (3-year-old Filly Trot); Elegantimage (3-year-old Filly Trot); Eternal Camnation (2-year-old Filly Pace); Fan Hanover (3-year-old Filly Pace); Goodtimes (3-year-old Trot); Maple Leaf Trot (Open Trot); Metro Pace (2-year-old Pace); Milton (Fillies & Mares Pace); Nassagaweya (2-year-old Pace); Peaceful Way (2-year-old Filly Trot); Roses Are Red (Fillies & Mares Pace); She’s A Great Lady (2-year-old Filly Pace); Somebeachsomewhere (3-year-old Pace); William Wellwood Memorial (2-year-old Trot).

The full list of eligible horses to each Woodbine major stakes race can be viewed by clicking here.

The upcoming March 15 deadline also impacts the Champlain, Simcoe and SBOA Stakes. Horsepeople with 2-year-olds set to debut this season (foals of 2016) are reminded that a sustaining payment is due Thursday for this year’s Champlain Open/Filly Stakes and next year’s (2019) Simcoe Open/Filly Stakes. The SBOA Stakes for Ontario sired 3-year-old fillies also requires a sustaining payment on March 15 for this year’s event (foals of 2015) and next year’s event (foals of 2016).

Woodbine continues to handle stakes administrations for tracks throughout Ontario. Sustaining payments are due March 15 for Grand River Raceway’s Battle of Waterloo & Belles (Ontario sired 2-year-old Pace) and Flamboro Downs’ Confederation Cup (4-year-old Pace).

Full details regarding stakes payments, including sustaining fee amounts, can be found by clicking here.

Stakes payments can be made online by clicking here.

If sending stakes payments by mail, envelopes must be postmarked no later than March 15 or payment will not be accepted. Registered mail is recommended.

— Mark McKelvie

Maryland 2-year-old payments due March 15

Union Bridge, MD — Two-year-old payments (foals of 2016) are due to the Maryland Standardbred Fund and the Maryland Sire Stakes on March 15.

This payment must be made to maintain eligibility.

All staking forms, race dates and stallion pedigrees are now available online. Please use our website for all your current MSRF info and any updates as they become available.

We recommend that all payments be sent by certified mail. Please use the following address for the Maryland Standardbred Race Fund: P.O. Box 540, Union Bridge, MD 21791.

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

2018 Ohio Sires Stakes nominations due March 15

Columbus, OH — A reminder that Ohio Sires Stakes nominations for 2- and 3-year-olds are due into the Ohio Sires Stakes/Ohio State Racing Commission office by this Thursday (March 15).

The cost to nominate one horse is $500 for all four legs of the series or $200 per leg. Ohio Sires Stakes-eligible foals are those sired by a Standardbred stallion registered with the Ohio State Racing Commission during the year of conception.

Checks should be made payable to the Ohio Sires Stakes. There are no sustaining payments. Entries postmarked after the March 15 deadline, those without full payment included, and those with unnamed horses will not be accepted.

This season, the maximum purse for an Ohio Sires Stakes leg will be $60,000 for one division; $50,000 for two divisions; and $40,000 for three or more divisions. Each championship will race for $275,000 guaranteed (on Sept. 8 at Scioto Downs) and each consolation will race for $60,000 guaranteed (on Oct. 13 at Northfield Park).

As well, veteran championships for 4-year-olds and up have been reinstated, each racing for a purse of $60,000, on Oct. 6 at Northfield Park. There is no nomination fee for these divisions, which are restricted to the eight leading money winners in races conducted at Ohio commercial tracks and Ohio fairs between Jan. 1 and Oct. 1, 2018, who have raced a minimum of five times in Ohio in 2018 prior to Oct. 1, 2018.

Nomination forms, conditions and the 2018 Ohio Sires Stakes schedule are available on the OSRC website and can be downloaded from the homepage at www.racingohio.net.

Nomination forms for 2- and 3-year-olds, with payments included, should be sent to Kim Rinker, OSDF Administrator, Ohio Sires Stakes, 77 South High St., 18th Floor, Columbus, OH 43215.

— Kim Rinker

Hackett nominations for Ohio-sired 3-year-old pacers and trotters due March 15

Lebanon, OH — Nominations for the James K. Hackett Memorial late-closers for Ohio-sired 3-year-olds at Miami Valley are due by this Thursday (March 15).

In addition to the traditional annual divisions for colt and filly pacers, the 2018 edition of the Hackett will include trotting divisions, separated by sex as well.

Elimination heats, each for a $15,000 purse, will be contested from April 9 to April 14 depending on the gait and sex. The four $40,000 championship finals will go postward between April 16 and April 21.

In addition to the opportunity to race for a $40,000 purse in a Hackett final, the top three finishers will get automatic invitations to four special Scarlet and Gray Invitationals — for Buckeye-bred sophomores — racing for $50,000 purses on April 27 and 28.

Nomination fee is $300. Entry blanks can be downloaded at www.miamivalleygaming.com by using the “Racing” and then “Horsemens Info” tabs.

— Miami Valley media relations

OSS 2-year-old payments due March 15

Toronto, ON — Owners of Ontario Sires Stakes eligible horses are reminded that the deadline for the 2-year-old OSS sustaining payment of C$600 (US$510) is March 15.

Pre-filled forms were mailed mid-February to the corresponding officer listed with Standardbred Canada for each OSS nominated foal of 2016.

For anyone who did not receive a pre-filled form, a blank form is available for download on the OSS website.

For further information, please contact Karen Hauver, OSS Administration Coordinator, 519.369.3545, records@ontariosiresstakes.com.

— Karen Hauver

Sustaining payments due March 15 for 2018 Renaissance Pace

Trenton, NJ — Owners of 2-year-old pacers eligible to the New Jersey Sire Stakes Premier Division and/or the New Jersey Standardbred Development Fund are reminded that the deadline for making the sole sustaining payment for the Renaissance Pace, both Open and Filly divisions, is March 15.

The Renaissance races will be held at Freehold Raceway in September with nominating fees of $700 for the Open division and $400 for the Filly division required to be postmarked by March 15.

Payment 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

Pocono Early Closers deadline is March 15

Wilkes-Barre, PA — Please be advised that sustaining payments for The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono’s early closing events are due March 15.

Those events include the Sun Stakes Saturday races (Earl Beal 3-year-old Open Trot, Ben Franklin FFA Pace, Max C. Hempt Memorial 3-year-old Open Pace, and James M. Lynch Memorial 3-year-old Filly Pace) and all 3-year-old Pennsylvania All-Stars races.

Also due on March 15 will be the initial nominations for the 2-year-old events of the Pennsylvania All-Stars.

Anyone submitting their sustaining payments themselves and not through a staking service can find an early closing sustaining payment form on the Horsemen Page at the Mohegan Sun Pocono website.

For further information, please contact the Mohegan Sun Pocono Racing Office at 570.831.2228.

— Pocono Race Office

DSBF 2-year-old payments due

Dover, DE — The 2-year-old payments on DSBF eligibles are due to be postmarked by March 15. The amount is $100. A payment of $40 must have been made on May 15, 2017, in order to be eligible to make the payment.

Any eligible 2-year-old who missed the May 2017 nominating payment can make a late payment of $350 along with the normal $100 sustaining fee.

The first race is Monday (Sept. 17) at Harrington. Qualifying time for pacers is 2:08 and trotters is 2:10.

We can accept credit cards.

E-mail Judy.Davis-Wilson@state.de.us for information or call 302.698.4610.

— Judy Davis-Wilson

Hill, Ewart, Jug Preview nominations due March 15

Columbus, OH — Scioto Downs will once again host three Grand Circuit races in 2018.

The Charlie Hill Memorial Trot, for 4-year-old and up trotters with the highest lifetime earnings that enter, is scheduled for Saturday (June 9) with a purse of $200,000. One payment of $500 must be postmarked by Thursday (March 15).

The Jim Ewart Memorial and the Jug Preview are slated for closing night, Saturday (Sept. 8). The Ewart will be for stallions and geldings, 4-years-old and up that have the highest lifetime earnings that enter. The estimated purse for the Ewart will be $225,000 and the payment is $500 and must be postmarked by March 15. The Jug Preview will be for 3-year-old pacers that have the highest earnings in 2018. The purse for the Jug Preview will be an estimated $125,000; payments of $250 must be postmarked by March 15.

More information can be found on the Scioto Downs website or by calling the race office at 614.295.4668.

Scioto Downs will kick off the 2018 racing season on Tuesday (May 8) and conclude on Sept. 8. Tuesday, Wednesday and all holiday cards will begin with a 2 p.m. post time while Thursday through Saturday will begin with a 6:30 p.m. post.

— Jason Roth

FSBOA stakes payments due by March 15

Pompano Beach, FL — FSBOA stakes payments are due by March 15, for 2-year-old Florida-breds (foals of 2016).

FL Breeders Stake – $100*, FL Stallion Stake – $100*, Sunshine State Stake – $50* and Melvyn Aylor Memorial – $150,

Non-Sired 2-year-olds (Foals of 2016): Florida Breeders – $100*, Sunshine Stakes – $50* and Melvyn Aylor Memorial – $150.

*Must be made to remain eligible as a 3-year-old.

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

— Rosie Huff

Nominations due March 15 for C$200,000 Prix D’Ete

Trois-Rivieres, QC — Anyone with a promising 4-year-old pacer, nominations for the 2018 C$200,000 Prix D’Ete at the Hippodrome 3R, must be made by Thursday (March 15).

One of only a handful of opportunities restricted to just 4-year-old pacers, the Prix D’Ete is the showcase stakes event of the season at the Hippodrome 3R and will take place on Sunday (Aug. 19) in 2018.

Continued from 2017 in the conditions for the race, is that horses that finish sixth through eighth will each get C$1,000.

To make nomination payments, owner/trainers can go to www.standardbredcanada.ca or to www.quebecjockeyclub.com and get the necessary nomination forms.

Please note there are no supplemental payments allowed for the Prix D’Ete. This first nomination payment must be made to be eligible.

The Prix D’Ete, once the richest and most prestigious race in Canada, was revived by the Quebec Jockey Club back in 2013. The inaugural revival saw Jimmy Takter’s Sunfire Blue Chip set the all-age Canadian and track record at 3R in 1:50.3. That record was tied the following year with All Bet’s Off scoring for the Ron Burke Stable. Then Harness Horse of the Year Wiggle It Jiggleit came to 3R for Team Teague in 2016, only to come up second best to the Burke Stable’s Rockin Ron in a classic battle over a sloppy track in 1:52. Last year it was the Jimmy Takter Stable winning the Prix D’Ete for the second time as Western Fame and driver Trevor Henry wired the field in 1:53.2.

The 2018 race season gets underway at the Hippodrome 3R on Sunday (April 22) with first race post time at 12:50 p.m.

— Quebec Jockey Club

Tioga stakes payments due March 15

Nichols, NY — Stakes payments for the 2018 racing season at Tioga Downs are due Thursday (March 15).

This includes payments for all the major races at Tioga. The 3-year-old Empire Breeders Classic sustaining payment; the 2-year-old Empire Breeders Classic payment to make your New York bred foal eligible to the 2019 race; and the first of two payments to our older horses and mare events, the Crawford Farms Open Trot, the Joie De Vie Open Mare Trot, the Artiscape Open Mare Pace and the Roll With Joe Open Horse Pace.

Nomination forms are available on the Tioga Racing page; use the following link for access: www.tiogadowns.com/racing/horsemen/.

— John Horne

SBOANJ stakes sponsored payments due March 15

Manalapan, NJ — The SBOANJ stakes payments and supplemental nominations are due March 15.

Payments for 2-year-olds include the Garden State Trot #1 in the amount of $250, the New Jersey Trotting Futurity #53 in the amount of $200, and the Home Grown Pace #1 in the amount of $200. The New Jersey Futurity #52 for 3-year-old pacers and trotters has a payment of $300.

Any 2-year-old who missed nominations for the New Jersey Trotting Futurity #53 or the Home Grown Pace #1 can supplement with a payment of $300 along with the sustaining fees listed above.

Since, the SBOANJ nominated and paid the fees for all the foals eligible to the Garden State Trot #1 the only payment due is the March 15 payment of $250. Also, if you bred, own or purchased a trotter at one of the sales please include with your payment a copy of the registration papers.

The Garden State Trot #1 makes its debut this year for 2- and 3-year-old New Jersey-sired trotters. Meadowlands Racetrack will host the 2-year-olds in 2018 while the 3-year-olds will race at Freehold Raceway in 2019.

Remember both the Garden State Trot and the Trotting Futurity are just for New Jersey-sired foals.

On the pacing side, the SBOANJ’s breeders committee is offering the Home Grown Pace for foals that are: New Jersey sired or New Jersey Sire Stakes Development Fund eligible or foaled in New Jersey. Freehold Raceway will host these races for both 2- and 3-year-olds in October, allowing for a longer schedule for the New Jersey stakes program. New Jersey-sired money-earners will receive an added bonus.

The SBOANJ continues to evaluate stakes conditions in order to offer racing incentives for those who breed, race and board mares in New Jersey. Visit sboanj.com for the stakes payment schedule, stakes payment forms, and incentive breeding programs.

— Courtney Stafford