The deadline for the New Jersey Sire Stakes, Green Acres and Standardbred Development Fund’s second sustaining payments is rapidly approaching.
Owners of horses that are eligible to any of the above-mentioned programs are reminded that payments must be postmarked by April 15.
The NJSS Premier Division will be contested exclusively again at the Meadowlands Racetrack in 2016, starting in May for three-year-olds and in July for two-year-olds. The Green Acres Division, which will only be contested for three-year-olds in 2017, will begin on August 26 at Freehold Raceway. Once again this year, the NJSS rule is that the Green Acres Program is limited to horses that have earned less than $25,000 in New Jersey Sire Stakes Premier Division earnings during the current calendar year.
For 2016 two-year-olds the Green Acres Division is being replaced by a new series — the New Jersey Standardbred Development Fund. The SDF is open to all horses sired by a New Jersey-based stallion as well as the offspring of mares who have resided in New Jersey for a minimum of 150 days, regardless of where the sire stands. Previous registration of the mare while she is in foal and nomination are required to establish eligibility. The first SDF race will be held on September 23 at Freehold Raceway, the location of all races in the series.
The NJSS Premier Division’s second sustaining payment remains $500 for both two-year-olds and three-year-olds. The Green Acres Division payment for three-year-olds also remains $150. $150 is also the amount of the second sustaining fee for two-year-olds that are eligible to the Standardbred Development Fund.
Owners of yearlings sired by New Jersey based stallions or yearlings of dams who were previously registered with the Standardbred Development Fund must nominate by May 15. Forms for all of these payments may be obtained at newjerseysirestakes.com.
(NJSS)