by Jerry Connors, the Pennsylvania Harness Racing Commission

Harrisburg, PA — Pennsylvania breeders are reminded that they must send in a 180 Day Registration Form to the State Harness Racing Commission for every mare, every year, in order to have the mare’s foal eligible to generate Pennsylvania Standardbred Breeders Development Fund awards from the larger pool of a given year’s money.

Mares carrying foals by registered Pennsylvania stallions have the option of completing a residency period of 180 contiguous days, which includes the foaling date, in order to have their foals’ eventual race earnings generating awards from 70 percent of the available pool for that year. This eligibility includes completing the form described above. Mares carrying Pennsylvania-sired foals who do not meet the residency requirements are automatically eligible to get awards at the 20 percent level. Stallion owners get the remaining 10 percent.

This form, and other Pennsylvania Breeders Fund and Sires Stakes forms, are available at www.agriculture.state.pa.us: click on Commissions on the left side of the front page, then Harness Commission, then scroll down to the forms. Or you can call the Commission at 1-866-WIN IN PA, toll free, with any questions or to obtain forms.