Last
held at The Meadowlands in
2006, the
placement fits beautifully into the 2013 calendar, which emphasizes
unprecedented late season opportunity for freshmen.
The
more lucrative stakes for pacers get under way at Mohawk in late August with
nearly 90% of the total purse dollars for open stakes offered to two year olds
through November.
While
the trotters have the Meadowlands
combo of the Peter Haughton
and Merrie Annabelle during Hambletonian week, more than 80% of open
stakes money will be dispersed from September forward.
Chronologically,
the marquee freshman stakes begin at Mohawk, then travel on to Lexington
for The Red Mile Grand Circuit. The Breeders
Crown eliminations are on October 11th and 12th with the finals on the 19th at
Mohegan Sun Pocono .
November opens with a swing through Chicago for
the American Nationals and Indiana Downs for their Elevation. The Matron Stakes
at Dover populate mid-November and lead directly into the Fall Final
Four. Those eliminations will be raced during the opening weekend of
the fall Meadowlands meet on November 23
with the finals on the following Saturday.
Along
the way the Kindergarten Classic presents more opportunities for the
trotters leading to the $200,000e finals at Vernon on October 25. The
Kentuckiana Management filly pace and trot Early Closers at Indy Downs also
provide a nice option for pacing and trotting fillies.
Nomination to the Fall Final
Four requires a February 15
nomination fee of $350. Payments are being handled by the Hambletonian
Society and the pertinent information is available on their website.
The 2013 Stakes Calendar
is available now from the USTA
website
for your scheduling information.
