Breeders of Pennsylvania-sired horses stand to earn an estimated $190,000 during this weekend’s nearly $2.4-million Super Stakes Saturday card at Pocono Downs.
“When Pennsylvania’s harness horses win, our breeders win, too,” said Agriculture Secretary George Greig. “Their investment in Pennsylvania workers, equipment and feed strengthens our economy. It’s a bonus for them when their horses are born and raised here.”
The Pennsylvania Harness Breeders Fund currently offers awards to Pennsylvania breeders for two different categories through the Race Horse Development Act of 2004. Horses that are sired and born in Pennsylvania receive a greater percentage of the breeders awards than those horses that are sired by Pennsylvania stallions but born outside the state.
Breeders do not need to own their horses to receive the premiums. In some cases, breeders are rewarded after their horses have been sold.
“If the horses in this weekend’s card had all been born in Pennsylvania, premiums for our state’s breeders would double to more than $350,000,” said Harness Racing Commission Executive Secretary George Crawford.
A change in Breeders Fund policy now requires foals to be born in-state to generate premiums for breeders, further strengthening the state’s agricultural economy,
“The three-year-olds racing this weekend will be the last to receive the non-resident award,” said Crawford.
More than $50 million has been paid to Pennsylvania breeders since 2008. Money for the program is generated through gaming revenue.
For more information, visit www.agriculture.state.pa.us, click on 'Bureaus Commissions and Councils' and select 'Pennsylvania Racing Commission.'
(Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture)