On Monday, October 5, the Kentucky Sire Stakes Advisory Panel announced multiple enhancements and changes to the Kentucky program.
“The newly announced enhancements to the KYSS Championship Series, Commonwealth Series and Kentucky Proud Series will really boost the budding Kentucky harness racing program," said Kentucky Harness Association President Bob Brady. "It’s exciting to see the results of hard work and cooperation among all of the industry stakeholders -- racetracks, owners, breeders, trainers and drivers. This growth is made possible by purse contributions from historical horse racing at the Red Mile and the newly opened Oak Grove Racing, Gaming & Hotel."
The highlights of the program include:
Championship Series
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Four legs (new in 2021).
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$250,000 finals (no starting fee).
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More than $5 million (est.) in purses in 2021.
Commonwealth Series
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Four legs (two legs added for 2021).
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Reduced starting fee for legs ($250).
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$50,000 finals (no starting fee).
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$1.75-million (est.) in purses in 2021.
Kentucky Proud Series (formerly Fair Program)
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$25,000 finals.
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Purses increased based on entries ($1,000/entry).
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Trailer bonus on half-mile tracks ($1,000/trailer).
• More than $7.5-million (est.) in total purses.
In addition to the program enhancements, the KY Sire Stakes Advisory Board approved a new stallion bonus program for 2021. Although final details are being established, the program will consist of bonus payments to owners of Kentucky-bred and sired horses competing in both the Championship and Commonwealth Series. “Specific details are being established and will be announced in the near future," continued Brady. "We anticipate being able to pay bonus payments to owners of horses placing 1st through 5th in all series legs and finals. If your horse is satisfies the mare residency program requirements and is sired by a Kentucky stallion, you will receive a significant bonus to the already nice purse payments. With the recent expansion of the Kentucky harness program, our hope is to attract top stallions to the Commonwealth.
“Although there have been recent news reports regarding the Supreme Court of Kentucky decision relating to the Encore (Exacta) historical horse racing machines, we are confident that the KHA, working closely with our Thoroughbred counterparts, industry colleagues and our legislators, will collectively reach a solution that ensures continued growth of the Commonwealth’s signature horse industry through purses generated from the new racing and gaming facilities in Kentucky."
(Kentucky Sire Stakes Advisory Panel)