In an effort to bolster the Florida Standardbred breeding and racing program in the future, the board of directors of the Florida Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association has announced a modification which updates eligibility to Florida’s lucrative stakes program.

The new eligibility to the Sunshine State Stakes, Florida Breeders Stakes and Melvyn Aylor Memorial Stakes will now include any USTA-registered foal born in the State of Florida, regardless of whether the foal is by a registered Florida stallion.

Eligibility for the Florida Stallion Stakes remains the same.

The new rule modified by the FSBOA Board of Directors is as follows:

“Effective Jan. 1, 2018, any USTA registered foal that is born in the State of Florida shall be eligible to race in the Florida-bred stakes program (Sunshine State Stakes, Florida Breeders Stakes and Melvyn Aylor Stakes). Foals that are sired by Florida registered stallions, whether or not such foals are foaled in Florida, shall also be eligible to compete in the stakes races enumerated above plus the Florida Stallion Stake program. Foals must fulfill all stake payment requirements to ensure eligibility.”

Boarding options in Florida include Amante Standardbreds (954.646.2963), Gold Star Farm (352.665.2457) and Prairie Bound Farm (863.634.2601).

For a complete list of Florida Standardbred farms and training centres, contact the FSBOA at 954.972.5400.

(FSBOA)