Northside Downs will host Atlantic Sires Stakes racing action for the first time this season, as three-year-old pacing colts roll in to the North Sydney oval on Saturday, July 11

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Two “A” divisions, with eight starters each, will compete for substantial purse pools of $10,700.

This will be the third meeting of the three-year-old Atlantic Sires Stakes colts this year. Following the North Sydney events, the colts will have four more opportunities to earn points towards to securing a spot in the season-ending Atlantic Breeders Crown championship event, which will be hosted by Harness Racing PEI in October.

The Atlantic Sires Stakes program showcases the best young horses in the region and has been promoting the sport of harness racing for owners, breeders and racing fans for over forty years.

The racing series will take place at eight racetracks in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island and purse monies are expected to top the million dollar mark again this year. Last year over $1.1 million was paid out in Atlantic Sires Stakes purses.

Post time at Northside Downs on Saturday is 1:30 p.m.

For a complete schedule of Atlantic Sires Stakes events for 2009, visit www.atlanticsiresstakes.ca.

(Atlantic Standardbred Breeders Association)