Breeders will discuss sire stakes rule changes at next meeting

Get ready for some lively sessions at the winter business meetings of Maine horsemen’s groups as directors prepare 1998 meeting agendas that include proposals to change rules in the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes. One contemplated rule change that is sure to generate a lot of discussion, both pro and con, is a proposal to change the 2-year-old divisions of the MSBS in 1998.

At the Maine Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association summer meeting, members were told that in 1998, there would be twice as many pacers in the MSBS Program as in 1997 and the number of paid-up horses eligible for the 1999 MSBS would increase again.

What to do?

If no action was taken, or no huge increase in parimutuel wagering occurred or financial boost from the Legislature occurred, stakes purses would be slashed almost in half and the Maine Sire Stakes Program would suffer greatly. So, last summer, Don Marean, president of the MSBOA, formed a five-member advisory board to study and make recommendations to the full membership. Their strongest recommendation is to start racing split divisions in the MSBS.

Last summer as the voluntary advisory board began to investigate and study the problem, it soon became apparent to them that reducing the qualifying time to 2:05 – thus eliminating a number of slower starting 2-year-old stakes entries – wasn’t acceptable. Nor was increasing the present $50 declaration fee to $100.

But after six months of work, the advisory group has studied and adopted some of the regulations that govern the Canadian Atlantic Sire Stakes. Through the MSBOA newsletter, the 5-member committee has put forth some of the following split division recommendations for members to consider at the MSBOA meeting on Saturday, Feb. 7:

Any changes in 1998 apply only to the 2-year-old stakes divisions. There is no problem with the current crop heading into the 3-year-old divisions.

That 2-year-old colt pacers and 2-year-old filly pacers would race in two divisions, A and B, with a $200 declaration fee for A and $50 for B divisions.

If either a colt or filly wins in the B division, it must move to A for at least two weeks and the purse for A division will be approximately three times that of B divisions.

Matching the anticipated pool of purse money in 1998-1999, with the anticipated number of stakes colts in those years, the program can expect 1-2 A divisions and 3-4 B divisions in each class.

Those proposed rule changes will be the recommendation the advisory board presents to MSBOA members commenting on weekly purses. Marean said that A divisons of MSBS would race for approximately $6,700 weekly and B divisions, $2,500 to $3,000.

Also, 2-year-old trotters would not be affected by the committee recommendations in 1998-1999 because of insufficient eligible numbers to make more than one division. Members will thrash the advisory board’s recommendations around at the MSBOA meeting Feb. 7, at The Clambake Restaurant, Pine Point, Scarborough. Make reservation with: MSBOA, c/o Alberta Emerson, 519 Boom Road, Saco, Me. 04072.

Another rule change proposal involves The Maine Harness Horsemen’s Association, which meets Saturday, Jan. 10, at the Augusta Civic Center. An item for consideration at the 3 p.m. business meeting by the general membership is a proposed amendment to the by-laws. The current by-laws state in the event the MHHA ever dissolves or is disbanded, all remaining treasury funds will to be distributed to charities selected by the board of directors.

At the 1997 winter meeting of the MHHA, that by-law change was adopted. But an amendment was proposed for the 1998 meeting, that would contain language that was more specific regarding charitable organization, with suggestions offered about using it for purse accounts or allocating it to the Racing Hall of Fame.

PACING BITS – The Maine State Harness Racing Promotional Board has listed the top 12 photographers for its 1998 calendar. Tom Smith, the proprietor of L.H. Thompson Printing Co. in Brewer – printers of Maine harness racing programs for more than 40 years – is the recepient of the top award of $250 presented by the promotional board. Smith is also a horse owner-breeder as well as a top-notch photographer. So how come he’s not printing the calendar?

The Maine State Harness Racing Commission will hold its regular monthly meeting Jan. 6 at 5 p.m. in the York Room of the Augusta Civic Center. The agenda calls for the commission to examine the existing rules to determine if any changes are necessary. The commission may propose wording for any rule change. Anyone who has a suggested rule change should submit it to the commission office before the meeting.

Christmas has come and gone and you have only a short time to fill out your ballot for the BDN Harness Horse of the Year. It’s your choice. Take a minute and show your support for Maine’s harness racing program, plus it’s fun.