The 2023 Pennsylvania Fair Sire Stakes circuit is set to begin this Saturday, June 24, with the season to open at the Big Butler Fairgrounds in this west-central Pennsylvania borough.

Pennsylvania law provides for a set of Fair Sire Stakes during the operating period of each applying fair in the state, plus five “Two-Day Sire Stakes” meets at a facility not connected with the time hosting a fair.  Saturday’s action starts a two-day meeting; the Butler’s fair program will take place on Wednesday and Thursday (June 28-29).

Pennsylvania’s Fair Sire Stakes are divided into “A” and “B” divisions, with starting fees ($75 and $50 respectively) added to the purses. “A” races have added money of $7,500, $5,000, and $3,750 for one, two, or three+ divisions; all “B” races start from a base of $2,500. “A”-level horses will earn points based on their finishing position that can qualify them for the Pennsylvania Fair Sire Stakes Championships, to be held at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania on Monday, Oct. 9.

The Butler races are scheduled to start at 1 p.m. this weekend. Saturday will be devoted to giving the two-year-olds their first taste of fair stakes competition, with 10 races in all.

Three of the four 2022 Pennsylvania Fair Sire Stakes Champions are set for action on Sunday’s 13-race card, with pacing champions Lou On The Beach and Stay Happy in to go for trainer Dan Altmeyer. Perhaps the most interesting race of the weekend is Sunday’s eighth race, with 2022 trotting colt champion HS Winchester starting from the rail and right beside him Big Baller Beane, who set the Butler freshman trotting male record of 2:02.1 last season.

Sunday’s races from Butler are scheduled for livestreaming on YouTube.

(Pennsylvania Fair Harness Horsemen’s Association)