The February 15 deadline for New Jersey Sire Stakes first sustaining payments is the last chance for owners of New Jersey-sired two-year-old and three-year-old pacers and trotters to be kept eligible to the 2012 Premier and Green Acres racing programs

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The NJSS Premier Division will be contested exclusively again at the Meadowlands Racetrack in 2012, starting in May for three-year-olds and in July for two-year-olds. The Green Acres Division begins August 31 at Freehold Raceway.

Beginning this year, participation in the Green Acres Program is limited to horses that have earned less than $25,000 in NJSS Premier Division races during the same calendar year.

The NJSS Premier Division’s first payment remains $300 for both two-year-olds and three-year-olds. The Green Acres Division payment remains $100 for both two- and three-year-olds.

Also on February 15, a $650 supplemental 2011 yearling nomination (for foals of 2010) can be made for eligibility to the NJSS. That fee is in addition to the sustaining payments for two-year-olds also due on February 15. If the foal is produced by an out-of-state breeding, the supplemental fee is $850.

Supplemental yearling nominations are also due February 15 for the NJSS-sponsored 2012 Lou Babic Open Pace ($500) and Babic Filly Pace ($400).

The two-year-old sustaining payment must be made in order to keep the horse eligible as a three-year-old in 2012, even if the horse does not race in 2012 as a two-year-old.

Forms for all payments may be downloaded from the NJSS website (newjerseysirestakes.com).

These payments must be in U.S. funds. No late payments will be accepted and no billing notices will be mailed. Certified mail is strongly recommended to NJSS, P.O. Box 330, Trenton, NJ 08625.

(NJSS)