The deadline for New Jersey Sire Stakes first sustaining payments is the last chance for owners of NJ-sired two-year-old and three-year-old pacers and trotters to be kept eligible to the 2015 Premier and Green Acres racing programs.

Because February 15 falls on a Sunday this year, and Presidents’ Day will be observed on the following Monday, the deadline for mailing purposes will be February 17.

The NJSS Premier Division will be contested exclusively again at the Meadowlands Racetrack in 2015 starting in May for three-year-olds and in late June for two-year-olds. The Green Acres Division begins September 4 at Freehold Raceway.

Once again this year, the NJSS rule is that the Green Acres Program is limited to horses that have earned less than $25,000 in New Jersey Sire Stakes Premier Division earnings during the current calendar year.

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

Also on February 17, a $650 supplemental 2013 yearling nomination (for foals of 2012) can be made for eligibility to the New Jersey Sire Stakes. That fee is in addition to the sustaining payments for two-year-olds also due on February 17. If the foal is produced by an out-of-state breeding, the supplemental fee is $850.

The two-year-old sustaining payment must be made in order to keep the horse eligible as a three-year-old in 2016, even if the horse does not race in 2015 as a two-year-old. Supplemental yearling nominations are also due February 17 for the NJSS-sponsored 2015 Lou Babic Open Pace ($500) and Babic Filly Pace ($400).

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)