by Cheri Stambaugh, for the Maryland Standardbred Race Fund

Union Bridge, MD — Starting in 2014 the Maryland Sire Stakes program will include Open races for 4- and 5-year-olds with separate divisions for pacers and trotters.

The Maryland Racing Commission at its monthly meeting on Sept. 17 gave final approval of this regulation.

These stakes will be open to any Maryland sired 4- and/or 5-year-old that was nominated as a yearling. A Feb. 15 sustaining form and payment will be due. The info will be available at www.msrfonline.com by the beginning of October along with the list of horses that were nominated as yearlings.

The MSRF administrator will be available at the Frederick (MD) Fair on Thursday (Sept. 19), at Chick’s Horse Sale on Tuesday (Sept. 24) and at the Harrisburg Sale to hand out copies of the regulation and answer any questions.

The MRC also approved an increase in Breeder Awards for Maryland sired horses; under the old regulation a total of eight percent (6.4 percent to the breeder and 1.6 percent to the stallion owner) was paid out; under the new regulation the total will be 10 percent (eight percent to the breeder and two percent to the stallion owner).

Please call Cheri Stambaugh at 410.775.0152 or 240.285.0326 if you have any questions.