The Maritime Breeders Association announced on Thursday, Feb. 29 that Metro Home Building Centre of Charlottetown, P.E.I. and Truro Home Building Centers of Bible Hill, N.S., the title sponsors of the Home Hardware Maritime Breeders Stakes, have extended their sponsorship contract for another three-year term.

The renewed sponsorship by both locally owned businesses will mean the addition of $40,000 per year in sponsorship money added to stakes purses for two- and three-year-old Maritime-sired trotters and pacers competing in the stakes program.

“On behalf of the Maritime Breeders Association, I would like to thank Peter Smith of Metro Home Building Centre, Charlottetown, PE and Arnold Hagen of Truro Home Building Centers, Bible Hill, NS for their continued support of the Home Hardware Maritime Breeders Stakes," said Earl Watts, Chair of the Maritime Breeders Association. "This lucrative sponsorship by two locally owned companies has helped to build this stakes into a marquee event for Maritime-sired pacers and trotters."

The Home Hardware Maritime Breeders Stakes will consist of a new format beginning in the 2024 stakes season. The provinces of Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia will alternate playing host to all divisions of the event annually. This will give fans in each province the chance to see the stars of the Maritime stakes circuit compete at their local tracks. Prince Edward Island will host the 2024 Home Hardware Maritime Breeders Stakes events at the dates and location listed below.

• Oct. 24 at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park for two- and three-year-old colt and filly trotters.
• Oct. 26 at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park for two and three-year-old colt and filly pacers. (This will be a double header with the two-year-old pacers racing on the afternoon card with a 12 p.m. post time and the three-year-old pacers racing on the evening card with a 6 p.m. post time.)

(With files from Red Shores & Maritime Breeders Association)