The 2026 Pennsylvania Fair Sire Stakes circuit is set to begin this Wednesday, July 1; the races for the Wednesday (two-year-olds) and Thursday (three-year-olds) cards were drawn on Monday, June 29.
It should be noted up front that first race post time for both days of the Butler racing has been reset to 11 a.m., with an eye towards the expected very hot weather, and the situation will be monitored to make sure the horses and horsepeople are racing in a safe environment.
Pennsylvania law provides for a set of Fair Sire Stakes during the operating period of each applying fair in the state, plus five “Two-Day Sire Stakes” meets at a facility during dates not connected with hosting a fair. Butler’s action will coincide with the fair there; the first two-day event will be held at Dayton on July 11-12.
Pennsylvania’s Fair Sire Stakes are divided into “A” and “B” divisions, with starting fees ($75 USD and $50 USD, respectively) added to the purses. “A” races have added money of $7,500 USD, $5,000 USD and $3,750 USD for one, two or three+ divisions; all “B” races start from a base of $2,500 USD. “A”-level horses will earn points based on their finishing position that can qualify them for the Pennsylvania Fair Sire Stakes Championships, to be held at The Meadows on Friday, Oct. 9.
Two horses, both fillies, who won their 2025 Fair Championship races, will be in to go for the first fair in 2026: pacer Dancin Sweet Heart, and trotter PA Patricia; the latter was also the leading point winner during the summerlong fair series. In the other sophomore filly trot division is Cocktail Captain, who won a pari-mutuel PA Stallion Series contest earlier this year. In Wednesday’s two-year-old competition, every winner will be tasting victory for the first time in their young careers.
Arrangements are being finalized for live streaming of the racing at many of the fair stops, through the PA Fairs Harness Horsemen’s Association’s website at pafairsracing.org. The full schedule will be posted on the association website as the coverage is finalized.
(Pennsylvania Fair Harness Horsemen’s Association, Meadows Standardbred Owners Association & Pennsylvania Harness Horsemen’s Association)