The Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association of New Jersey will administer the distribution of New Jersey-sired bonus money, which will be paid out on a monthly basis retroactive from April 1.

These awards, the result of a $10 million state appropriation, have also funded a breeders' awards program and increased purses for SBOANJ-sponsored races.

The payouts for the New Jersey-sired awards will be distributed to New Jersey-sired horses six years old and under who finish first through fifth. Payout is based on the average purse at each racetrack and distributed according to race placement. Only overnight races will receive bonus awards; series and stakes races will be excluded. The bonus will be paid to the first owner of record, and a W-9 form is required for distribution.

Along with the breeders awards and New Jersey-sired bonus money, the SBOANJ will contribute over $200,000 to SBOANJ-sponsored races in order to further enhance the purses. Updated information on the final purses will be announced shortly.

In an effort to provide more racing opportunities as well as enhanced purses for owners of New Jersey-sired horses, the SBOANJ is sponsoring a late closing series at both Freehold and The Meadowlands for three-year-old New Jersey-sired trotters. There will be two legs with purses of $15,000 each and a $50,000 final. A four-year-old series will be offered next year.

New Jersey-sired pacers will be represented by a SBOANJ-sponsored event on Open Space Pace Day at Freehold Raceway on Sept. 21 for a purse of $20,000.

Freehold Raceway resumes racing Friday (Aug. 30) with a post time of 12:30 p.m.

(SBOA of New Jersey)