A release issued on Friday (May 22) by the New York Sire Stakes provides an update on the 2020 NYSS season.

The New York Sire Stakes is working closely with harness tracks throughout the state as they develop reopening plans. As soon as revised racing dates are finalized for all tracks, the NYSS will move forward with building an updated racing schedule and will share this information with participants.

“Right now we are anticipating that NYSS events will start approximately two weeks after the tracks reopen,” said Kelly Young, executive director of the Agriculture & New York State Horse Breeding Development Fund. “This will help ensure that horses have time to qualify before racing begins.”

Participants are reminded that horses must have a satisfactory charted performance line in the time standard within 30 days of declaration for Sire Stakes and Excelsior events.

It should not be assumed that any of the current scheduled stakes dates will stand as the days of the week that tracks race this season may change. Participants should not plan to race the first three-year-old legs before mid-June and should not plan to race the first two-year-old legs before the beginning of July. Additionally, the NYSS will not be racing at Buffalo Raceway this year.

Due to a significant change in revenue, it will not be possible to race a full complement of eight legs for Sire Stakes or Excelsior divisions. All ages and divisions will have an equal number of legs. More details on changes to this year’s program will be forthcoming.

“The announcement by Governor Andrew Cuomo allowing racing tracks to reopen was very exciting and we are all working through the details now,” said Young. “We are looking forward to providing a new schedule and getting back to the track while keeping the health and safety of our participants as a top priority.”

In regard to the County Fair racing series, several racing fairs have already been canceled for this summer. The NYSS is considering a number of options to allow the program to continue this season.

“While we do not anticipate that horsemen will have options for all fairs originally scheduled, at this time, we are still planning for a racing program,” said Young. “We understand that this has been a long road and we will continue to send updates and keep you informed as we navigate the future of the racing season.”

Participants with questions or concerns can contact Kelly Young in the New York Sire Stakes Office directly at [email protected] or (518) 388-0224.

(NYSS)