The 2021 Maritime Stakes schedule was released Thursday (Feb. 4), with several new features added.

Firstly, Canada’s oldest harness racing stakes program, the PEI Colt Stakes, will have an additional profile in recognition of its 87th year of competition. Each division of two- and three-year-old pacing colts and fillies, and trotting two- and three-year-olds (split by sex if necessary) will compete in two legs with a "Gold" and "Grassroots" component based upon money earnings at time of the event. For 2021 and subsequent years, there is no final in any division, with the purse allotment usually paid out in the finals added to the purses for each leg.

Secondly, the contribution of several legendary individuals to PEI Harness racing will be acknowledged in new ways, and in high profile events. The late Bob Dewar was an invaluable volunteer and leader at Summerside Raceway, and in recognition of his contribution to the SRW the Governors Plate Consolation for 2021 and on will be renamed the Bob Dewar Memorial. Summerside Chrysler Dodge returns as the 2021 Governors Plate Eliminations and Final sponsor.

The Chappell family have been part of the success of Summerside Raceway since the early 1950’s, and in recognition the Mares Series during Governors Plate week will be renamed the Chappell Memorial.

“We felt it important to have the two highest profile events held each year at Summerside for our aged horses recognize the Dewar and Chappell names, and in events which will always be associated with Summerside Raceway, “ said Blaine MacPherson, PEI Harness Racing Industry Association Chair.

“We will also be acknowledging the contributions of inaugural PEI Colt Stakes President George Callbeck and Tyndall Semple with a special announcement that will be forthcoming shortly.”

Horse Racing New Brunswick has added a new stake event for pacing two- and three-year-olds called the New Brunswick Breeders Stake, and will also be holding a leg of the Standardbred Canada Mares Series and a new Invitational-level event in an elimination-and-final format for 2021.

The Maritime Breeders will also see some changes to its stake in 2021. The Stake will move to all division formats for each age group. The trotters will be split by sex if the numbers permit. This year will see the stake have three different events held at three different tracks. The two-year-old pacing fillies and colts will contest their divisions on Oct. 17 at Truro Raceway, the three-year-old pacing fillies and colts will compete on June 18 at Summerside Raceway, and the trotting two- and three-year-olds will compete on Sept. 9 at the Charlottetown Driving Park.

Below is the stakes schedule for the 2021 Maritime Harness Racing season:

(PEIHRIA)