by Leon Zimmerman, for the New Jersey Sire Stakes

Trenton, NJ — Important payments are due May 15 to make and keep horses eligible to the lucrative New Jersey Sire Stakes program and other special stakes races for New Jersey-sired horses.

Nominations are due for foals of 2007 who are yearlings in 2008. All horses nominated must be registered with the United States Trotting Association (USTA) or Canadian Standardbred Horse Society (CSHS).

For eligibility to the Sire Stakes Program (Pari-Mutuel and Green Acres divisions), payments should be mailed to NJSS, P.O. Box 330, Trenton, NJ 08625.

NJSS Executive Director Christopher Castens said that registered mail is strongly suggested to avoid potential problems in mailing or delivery of payments. No late payments are accepted.

The fee is $50 for the NJSS Pari-Mutuel and Green Acres divisions if a copy of the yearling’s registration certificate accompanies the nomination. Without a copy of the certificate, the fee is $75. The Lou Babic Pace nomination fee is an additional $25 for the open division and $15 for the filly division.

It is important to note that the yearling nomination fee is $250 if the foal being nominated is the result of the interstate transport of a registered New Jersey stallion’s semen to a mare outside the state of New Jersey, provided a copy of the certificate accompanies the fee. Without the certificate, the interstate semen transport nomination fee is $275.

To nominate a NJ-sired yearling to the 2009 Anthony Abbatiello New Jersey Pacing Classic, Tom D’Altrui Miss New Jersey Pace and Charles I. Smith Trot, and the 2008 Harold R. Dancer Trot, payment should be mailed to the SBOANJ, 64 Business Route 33, Manalapan, NJ 07726. The fee for the Classic or Miss New Jersey and for the Smith Trot is $15. The Dancer Trot fee is $25.

Also due on May 15 are 2-year-old sustaining payments for the 2007 Dancer Trot ($300) and New Jersey Futurity ($200), made payable and mailed to the SBOANJ, 64 Business Route 33, Manalapan, NJ 07726.