The Historic Stakes, some of the oldest and most prestigious races on the Grand Circuit, conducted for more than 80 years, have a new venue for freshman pacers and trotters.
In 2013 the Pennsylvania Harness Horsemen's Association and Harrah's Philadelphia (formerly Chester) will host the quartet of events on the following dates.
- Wednesday, August 7 -- $60,000 est. - The E.H. Harriman Cup for ywo-year-old colt trotters
- Wednesday, August 14 -- $66,000 est. - The Acorn for two-year-old trotting fillies
- Friday, August 30 -- $75,000 est. - The Goshen Cup for two-year-old colt pacers
- Friday, August 30 -- $64,000 est. - The Debutante for two-year-old filly pacers
The Historic races are owned and administered by the Hambletonian Society and yearling nominations were taken in May 2012. The freshman races were recently conducted at Vernon Downs.
"This scheduling compliments the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes two-year-old program as well as other unrestricted two-year-old stakes on the calendar, especially at the three Pennsylvania tracks," said Tom Charters, president of the Hambletonian Society.
"We want to express our thanks to the PHHA, especially their president Sam Beegle and executive director Ron Battoni, and to Harrah's racing secretary Joe Auger for working with us on these races."
The PHHA will also have the option on the three-year-old events in 2014.
The Historic Stakes for three-year-olds will continue to race at Tioga Downs
The Hambletonian Society services 129 of harness racing's richest and most prestigious events and provides one-stop shopping for your staking needs. The Hambletonian Society's website, hambletonian.org, contains all the tools and information necessary to stake your horse yourself.
Race conditions, payment forms and much more information is now available online. For more information call the Society offices at 609-371-2211.
(The Hambletonian Society)