Harness: Breeders Crown purses boosted

The Hambletonian Society, which owns and administers the $6.6 million Breeders Crown series, will raise purses on six of the 12 divisions of the Breeders Crown championship races to held at The Meadowlands on Friday, Oct. 29 & Saturday, Oct. 30.

A Breeders Crown title remains one of the most sought-after in harness racing, as indicated by the year-end Dan Patch awards, where Breeders Crown winners dominate divisional championships and Horse of the Year honors.

"The Breeders Crown program is funded from many segments of the industry -- breeders, owners, horsemen and stallion nominators to name a few, and the ability to raise the purses based on participation illustrates the commitment and popularity of the Breeders Crown series," said John Campbell, president of the Hambletonian Society.

"Our host tracks and nominators held strong through the pandemic and continuing and maintaining stability for those who support stakes events remains the Society's number one priority."

All sophomore classes will go up by $100,000 to $600,000 as will the Breeders Crown Open Pace and Open Trot. The Breeders Crown Mare Trot and Pace will remain at $300,000 each.

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For the sixth straight year the 2-year-old Breeders Crown events will race for $600,000, making them among the richest offered for that age group in North America.

The Society's mission statement since 1926 has focused on supporting and promoting the breeding of Standardbred horses. Keeping 2-year-old purses at a high level benefits breeders and helps owners with a timely return on their investments.

The 2021 Breeders Crown, presented by Libfeld-Katz Breeding Partnership, will take place on the final two weekends in October at the host track of The Meadowlands. The Rutherford, NJ premier one-mile track will complete 103 Breeders Crown events in 2021, the most events held by a single racetrack.

Eliminations for 2-year-old races will be held Friday, Oct. 22, while 3-year-old and older eliminations will race Saturday, Oct. 23.

The freshmen Breeders Crown finals take place Friday, Oct. 29 and the eight three-year-old and up events are set for Saturday, Oct. 30.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: At a New Jersey Racing Commission meeting on September 22, the above dates were approved with Friday post-time at 6:15 P.M. and Saturday at 12:00 P.M.]

Friday, October 29

$600,000 BREEDERS CROWN 2YO COLT TROT
$600,000 BREEDERS CROWN 2YO FILLY TROT
$600,000 BREEDERS CROWN 2YO COLT PACE
$600,000 BREEDERS CROWN 2YO FILLY PACE

Saturday, October 30

$300,000 BREEDERS CROWN MARE TROT
$600,000 BREEDERS CROWN PACE
$600,000 BREEDERS CROWN 3YO FILLY TROT
$600,000 BREEDERS CROWN 3YO COLT TROT
$300,000 BREEDERS CROWN MARE PACE
$600,000 BREEDERS CROWN TROT
$600,000 BREEDERS CROWN 3YO FILLY PACE
$600,000 BREEDERS CROWN 3YO COLT PACE

-edited release (Breeders Crown)