Horsemen and women are reminded that the draw for the first legs of the $2.5 million (est.) Massachusetts Sire Stakes will take place on Thursday, Sept. 22 at Plainridge Park.
All three-year-old divisions will go on Sunday, Sept. 25 and all two-year-old divisions will be on Monday, Sept. 26, and both draws will be held Thursday, with the box closing at 9 a.m. The full condition sheet is currently posted at ustrotting.com under the "Horsemen" tab.
Participating trainers and connections are also reminded that starting this year, horses must race in at least two of the three preliminary legs in order to be eligible for the finals. The 2022 stakes will be held on Sunday and Monday through October with the exception of Sunday, Oct. 9 and Monday, Oct. 10, with the eight divisional finals being contested on Monday, Oct. 24. All post times will be 2 p.m.
There are 83 two-year-old and 76 three-year-old trotters and pacers eligible this year and the connections of all 159 horses have the following dates circled on their calendars:
Sunday (Sept. 25) - three-year-old first leg
Monday (Sept. 26) - two-year-old first leg
Sunday (Oct. 2) - three-year-old second leg
Monday (Oct. 3) - two-year-old second leg
Sunday (Oct. 16) - two-year-old third leg
Monday (Oct. 17) - three-year-old third leg
Monday (Oct. 24) - two and three-year-old finals
(Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)