Harness: Stakes payments due April 15
Stakes payments from a number of tracks and organizations are due April 15. Below is a compilation of releases outlining the details for payment. (updated April 14)
Hambletonian Society Staking Payments Due April 15
Horsemen are reminded that staking payments for the following races are due April 15.
Participants are encouraged to review the events listed below and ensure all payments are submitted to the Hambletonian Society by the deadline to maintain eligibility.
2-year-olds
Breeders Crown
Elevation
Kentuckiana Stallion Mgmt Pace/Trot
Madison County
Matron Series
Peter Haughton/Jim Doherty
3-year-olds
Breeders Crown
Carl Erskine
Crossroads of America
Earl Beal Jr./Delmonica Hanover
Jenna’s Beach Boy
Matron Series
Max Hempt/James Lynch
Monument Circle
Oak Grove Trotting Derby NEW
USS Indianapolis Memorial
Open Events
Breeders Crown
Caesar’s Trotting Classic
Dan Patch
Dayton Derby
Rockin Nola NEW
If you have any questions regarding staking payments or eligibility, please contact the Stakes Manager, Nadia Tarnawa 609-371-2211 or nadia@hambletonian.org
Please ensure all required payments are submitted by April 15 to avoid ineligibility.
-release (Hambletonian Society)
Meadowlands Stakes Payment Reminder
The Meadowlands Racetrack would like to remind everyone that sustaining payments for our rich stakes program are to be postmarked by tax day Wednesday, April 15th, 2026. Those races may be found here by clicking on the link provided https://playmeadowlands.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2026-Stakes-Dates-Payment-Information-Jan12.pdf
Additionally, we would like to remind everyone that any horse nominated to any Meadowlands stakes/event must be in the care of an approved trainer by April 15 for any stake/event raced during the month of May and by May 15 for all other stakes/events. Failure to comply with any published stakes conditions may result in any agreement created by the acceptance of any stakes payment to be declared void at the discretion of The Meadowlands and may render the horse(s) in question ineligible to race in those stakes/events with no liability to The Meadowlands and no assurance of a refund of payments previously made to the stake/event in question. Current Racing Application must be on file and can be found on our website as well.
-release (Meadowlands)
Woodbine Standardbred Stakes Payments due Wednesday
Woodbine Entertainment would like to remind all owners and trainers of the upcoming April 15th stakes payment deadline for events this season at Woodbine Mohawk Park and racetracks across Ontario.
Sustaining payments are due for all of Woodbine’s major stakes in 2026. To view the current list of eligible horses, click here.
Below are all the events requiring a sustaining payment by April 15:
Pepsi North America Cup
Metro Pace
Armbro Flight
Canadian Pacing Derby
Canadian Trotting Classic
Casual Breeze
Dream Maker
Elegantimage
Eternal Camnation
Fan Hanover
Goodtimes
Maple Leaf Trot
Millard Farms
Milton
Nassagaweya
Peaceful Way
Pure Ivory
Roses Are Red
Shes A Great Lady
Somebeachsomewhere
Whenuwishuponastar
William Wellwood Memorial
SBOA Stakes
In addition, stakes payments are also due for several stakes at other racetracks in Ontario.
Nominations close on April 15 for the Little Saratoga Series at Dresden Raceway. The Little Saratoga offers two pacing events (Open and Mares), with each for Non-Winners of 1 Race of $5,000 Lifetime as of midnight on March 31, 2026.
The Little Saratoga will offer $5,000 preliminary legs on June 7 and 14, before a $12,000 added money final on June 21. To view the nomination form, click here.
Grand River Raceway’s Battle of Waterloo and Battle of the Belles also have their next sustaining payment due April 15. Each event is for Ontario sired 2-year-old pacers.
The final sustaining payment for Flamboro Downs’ Charles Juravinski Memorial Cup is due Wednesday. The event sponsored by Great Canadian Entertainment is restricted to 4-year-old pacers and eliminations are quickly approaching on May 10.
To make stakes payments online, click here.
If sending stakes payments by mail, envelopes must be clearly post-marked no later than April 15, 2026, or payment will not be accepted.
-edited release (Woodbine)
Massachusetts Breeders Stakes payments due April 15
Owners and trainers of horses eligible to the Massachusetts Breeders Stake are reminded that the 2026 sustaining payments for all 2- and 3-year-old contenders are due by Wednesday, April 15.
The 2-year-old payment is $200 and the 3-year-old payment is $300. If there has been a change of name or ownership, please submit a copy of the registration certificate at the same time.
The necessary form for this payment is available for download at sominc.net.
-release (by Tim Bojarski for Stanardbred Owners of Massachusetts)
Next Generation buy-in due
Nominations are due starting Wednesday (April 15) for the $150,000 est. Next Generation events, to be held at Eldorado Scioto Downs on Saturday, July 4. If less than 10 (10) $8,000 entries are received by April 15, the nominations will stay open with a $10,000 nomination fee due May 15.
Each of the four 2-year-old divisions is limited to nine (9) entrants each with (8) spots needing purchased in order for an event to fill. If less than 10 slots are purchased within any of the individual deadlines, all purchasers are guaranteed a spot and not subject to a lottery drawing. Once nine slots have been purchased by any of the given deadlines, the event will be closed.
Checks should be made payable to Eldorado Scioto Downs and sent to:
Eldorado Scioto Downs
Attn: Race Office
P.O. Box 07823
Columbus, OH 43207
The pacing events have been held since 2020 and have been won by the likes of Charlie May, Sea Silk, Sling Shock and Swingtown. Trotting divisions were added in 2021, with horses like Jurassic Hattie, Setyoursightshigh, Spaaaanzano and Big Ranger taking top honors.
Complete conditions can be found at https://horsemen.ustrotting.com/stakes/conditions.cfm.
-release (Scioto Downs)