The 2023 Atlantic Sires Stakes season officially gets underway on Sunday, June 11, as the three-year-old pacing fillies hit the oval at Truro Raceway.

A total of 10 fillies will go behind the gate in two 'A' divisions of five, each for a purse of $9,020. The first 'A' division lines up in the afternoon's third race. Two fillies already boast stakes wins this season; favoured Saulsbrook Mabel will leave from post five with driver Gilles Barrieau, and Gosistersoulsister leaves from the rail with Brodie MacPhee up. Both fillies won their respective starts in the PEI Colt Stakes on May 28 at Summerside.

Our Girl Annie, the two-year-old Atlantic Breeders Crown champion in this division and the winner of the Donnie & George Turner Memorial at Truro earlier this season, will leave from post two in her five-horse field. That 'A' division is carded as Race 13.

There are two 'B' division events on the card Races 7 and 10 and they will be racing for a purse of $4,000.

The Atlantic Sires Stakes program, the first of its kind in Canada, was formed back in 1966 with the sole purpose of promoting the Standardbred horse industry in Atlantic Canada. Today, the program not only showcases the best young horses in the region but also encourages people to breed, buy and race horses in the Maritimes.

The Atlantic Sires Stakes offers participants and spectators the finest in harness racing action and the season-ending Atlantic Breeders Crown Championship has become one of the most prestigious Maritime harness racing events.

Atlantic Sires Stakes events will take place at five racetracks throughout Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.

Points earned in each Atlantic Sires Stakes 'A' division and trot event go towards securing a coveted spot in the season-ending Atlantic Breeders Crown Championships, with the Atlantic Breeders Crown being hosted by Red Shores at the Charlottetown Driving Park on October 7 and 8.

With a stacked 14-dash card that includes the Atlantic Sires Stakes in addition to the Phil Pinkney Memorial Stakes for three-year-old pacing colts, Truro Raceway has shifted its first race post time from 1 p.m Atlantic / 12 p.m. noon Eastern to 12:45 p.m. Atlantic / 11:45 a.m. Eastern to help accommodate the race card.

The track will also add several items to this week’s wagering menu, which already includes Canada’s lowest takeout Pick 5, with a 12 per cent takeout and a $1,500 guarantee that kicks off in Race 1. Added will be superfectas every second race, beginning in Race 2 (which has a $320.96 carryover) through to Race 14. There will also be two Pick 4s this week, both with a 15 per cent takeout and $750 guarantees. Those wagers will be offered in Races 7 and 11.

The track’s pre-game show will move to 12:15 p.m. Atlantic / 11:15 a.m. Eastern with racing analysts Melissa Keith and Grady Hachey.

To view the entries for Sunday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Sunday Entries - Truro Raceway.

(ATSS / Truro)