# 01-017 Ch. 9: Ch. 9: Sires Stakes > Maine · Regulations · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_CMR_01_017_9 ## Section - **Citation:** 01-017 Ch. 9 - **Heading:** Ch. 9: Sires Stakes - **Jurisdiction:** Maine - **Kind:** Regulations - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** August 14, 2026 - **Source:** Compiled text - **Location:** Code of Maine Rules / 01-017 State Harness Racing Commission / Ch. 9 ## Text SUMMARY: This chapter pertains to the establishment of a Breeders Stakes program to encourage and develop a Maine breed of Standardbred horses pursuant to 8 MRSA §281. If no exception is provided in this chapter, the general body of harness racing rules and regulations shall apply to the Sire Stakes program and Sire Stakes races. Section 1. General 1. A committee of advisors will be appointed annually by the Commission to assist the Commission in promoting this program. The advisors will be selected from interested persons engaged in breeding or racing Standardbred horses. At least one member will be from an Association programming at least one stake race. The advisory committee will serve without compensation. 2. Any Association that desires to host events in the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes must so inform the Commission at the annual race date assignment hearing proceeding the year of the event. 3. The Commission shall approve a schedule of races and the sites of the events annually. 4. The name of the events shall be Maine Standardbred Breeders Stake No. 1 for eligible 3 year olds in 1974 and Maine Standardbred Breeders Stake No. 2 for eligible 2 year olds in 1974, then numbered chronologically each succeeding year. Eligibility, estimated values, fees, and conditions shall be announced by publication no later than March 1 of the year of the race. Purses will be announced by the Department no later than June 1 of the year of the race. Application forms will be available at the office of the Department. 5. Trainers of eligible two and three year old horses participating in the Sire Stakes program shall notify the Department no later than May 15 of the location at which the eligible horses are stabled. Said trainer shall inform the Department of any change in stable location. Section 2. Eligibility Criteria 1 he year of the race. Application forms will be available at the office of the Department. 5. Trainers of eligible two and three year old horses participating in the Sire Stakes program shall notify the Department no later than May 15 of the location at which the eligible horses are stabled. Said trainer shall inform the Department of any change in stable location. Section 2. Eligibility Criteria 1. In order for its offspring to be eligible to the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes a stallion must be registered with the Commission for the current breeding season prior to January 1 of the year of the breeding season and must stand at stud the full breeding season in Maine except as provided for in Section 2, subsection 1, second paragraph. The breeding season is defined as the period beginning February 15 through July 15 of each calendar year except as provided in the second paragraph. The registration fee shall be $100.00 per stallion per breeding season. Registration fees shall be made payable to the Treasurer, State of Maine and forwarded to the Commission’s Office within the Department and such fees will be added to purses. Any person standing a stallion who fails to register a stallion as required aforesaid may register said stallion upon payment of the registration fee and an additional payment of $500.00 on or before February 15 of the ensuing breeding season. The stallion shall not have been registered nor stood in any other racing jurisdiction during the current breeding season as defined in Section 2, subsection 1. A stallion may be brought into the program at any time after February 15 to replace a registered stallion which is unable to breed, as evidenced by a veterinarian or laboratory test indicating it is infertile, or dies during the breeding season. In this case a $100.00 registration fee is required but no late fee is required. A new stallion may be brought into the program after February 15 with the payment of the registration fee and a late fee of $750.00 r February 15 to replace a registered stallion which is unable to breed, as evidenced by a veterinarian or laboratory test indicating it is infertile, or dies during the breeding season. In this case a $100.00 registration fee is required but no late fee is required. A new stallion may be brought into the program after February 15 with the payment of the registration fee and a late fee of $750.00. The stallion is to reside in the State of Maine at a designated standing farm throughout the entire breeding season as described in this section, except as provided for a late registration. The stallion may not be moved from the designated standing farm (except in the case of a medical emergency) with the following exceptions: A. A stallion duly registered may, upon advance written notification to the Executive Director, move from the designated standing farm provided that the farm to which the stallion is moved is located in the State of Maine. B. A stallion duly registered may, upon advance written approval from the Executive Director, be moved to another state for non-emergency medical reasons. C. A stallion duly registered may, upon advance written approval from the Executive Director, be allowed to race during the breeding season in non claiming races. 2. Breeding Report. A copy of the form reporting the breeding of mares to the United States Trotting Association (Mares Bred List) will be completed by the person who owns and registers the stallion, and forwarded to the Commission Office not later than September 1 of the year of breeding. Mares bred by transported semen shall be so identified on the Mares Bred Report. 3. Colts and fillies sired by an eligible stallion shall be eligible to the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stake races providing that they are named and that name is registered with the United States Trotting Association and all required documents are filed and fees paid. This is effective with the foals resulting from the 2003 breeding season and thereafter. 4 o identified on the Mares Bred Report. 3. Colts and fillies sired by an eligible stallion shall be eligible to the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stake races providing that they are named and that name is registered with the United States Trotting Association and all required documents are filed and fees paid. This is effective with the foals resulting from the 2003 breeding season and thereafter. 4. The foal produced from any mare which is inseminated after by semen transported outside of the State of and from a stallion duly registered with the Commission will be eligible for nomination to any Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes programs. Section 3. Payments and Fees Yearling nomination payment of $20.00 shall be due on all Maine sired colts and fillies by May 15 of the year following the colt or filly’s year of birth and payment must be accompanied by a copy of the colt or filly USTA Registration Certificate. In the event a yearling payment is not made on May 15 of the year following foaling, the foal may be made eligible providing that all other eligibility requirements are met by payment of a $500.00 late fee together with the previously missed payment. 2. A continuation fee of $20.00 for eligible 2 year olds shall be due February 15 of the year of the race. 3. A continuation fee of $50.00 for eligible 3 year olds shall be due February 15 of the year of the race. 4. A sustaining fee of $50.00 for eligible 2 year olds and $70.00 for eligible 3 year olds shall be due by May 15 of the year of the race. Sustaining fees need not be paid on 2 year olds unless the 2 year old will race during its two year old year. 5. The gait on which 2 and 3 year olds will race must be specified at the time the sustaining fee is paid, May 15 of the year of the race. Switching gait or racing at both will be allowed only if the horse has been sustained, and fees paid, to both trot and pace by May 15 of the year of the race. 6 g fees need not be paid on 2 year olds unless the 2 year old will race during its two year old year. 5. The gait on which 2 and 3 year olds will race must be specified at the time the sustaining fee is paid, May 15 of the year of the race. Switching gait or racing at both will be allowed only if the horse has been sustained, and fees paid, to both trot and pace by May 15 of the year of the race. 6. A starting fee of $75.00 for eligible 2 year olds to seasonal events shall be due at the time of declaration and payable to the Association sponsoring the event. A starting fee of $100.00 for eligible 3 year olds to seasonal events shall also be due at the time of declaration and payable to the Association sponsoring the event. 7. Nomination, continuation, sustaining and supplemental payments will be made to the Maine State Harness Racing Commission at the Department's office. 8. Otherwise eligible Maine bred colts and fillies that were not kept eligible by payment of subsequent fees, as a yearling, or as a 2 year old, may be made eligible as a two year old, providing all other eligibility requirements are met, by payment of a $750.00 late fee and all previously missed payments and late fees are made prior to declaring in for the first two year old stake race for that sex and gait for that year. 9. Otherwise eligible Maine bred colts and fillies that were not kept eligible by payment of nominating fees or continuation fees as a yearling or a 2 year old may be made eligible as three year olds, providing all other eligibility requirements are met, by payment of a $1,000.00 supplemental payment and all previously missed yearling, two year old continuation and three year old payments and late fees prior to declaring in for the first three year old stake race for that sex and gait of that year. Section 4. Performance Eligibility 1 ing or a 2 year old may be made eligible as three year olds, providing all other eligibility requirements are met, by payment of a $1,000.00 supplemental payment and all previously missed yearling, two year old continuation and three year old payments and late fees prior to declaring in for the first three year old stake race for that sex and gait of that year. Section 4. Performance Eligibility 1. Two and Three year old trotters and pacers will be eligible to start in any of their stake races of their season if they show a satisfactory charted performance line, or better, as indicated by the chart below. The horse must have raced on gait with track allowances at the time of the draw. 2. Two and three year old trotters and pacers that made breaks in the past three consecutive starts on a good or fast track and failed to finish first, second or third must go a qualifying race. Breaks caused by equipment failure or interference will be excused. 3. Two and three year old trotters and pacers failing to meet qualifying time in two consecutive races on a good or fast track must re-qualify, unless the horse makes a break, or there is interference or equipment failure in one of the two races. 4. All Sire Stakes horses must have a charted line in which the horse met the Sire Stakes qualifications within 45 days of its next programmed start. 5. All entries in Maine Standardbred Breeders Stake races must show individual times. 6. Two year olds are ineligible by reason of participation in a medication program. Any 2 year old horse that has participated in a Furosemide program at any race meet whether that race was in the state of Maine or another jurisdiction is not eligible in any Maine Standardbred Breeders Stake race. 7. Three year old horses eligible to participate in the Maine Sire Stakes Program are allowed into the furosemide program under the conditions set forth in Chapter 11. 8 ation program. Any 2 year old horse that has participated in a Furosemide program at any race meet whether that race was in the state of Maine or another jurisdiction is not eligible in any Maine Standardbred Breeders Stake race. 7. Three year old horses eligible to participate in the Maine Sire Stakes Program are allowed into the furosemide program under the conditions set forth in Chapter 11. 8. Two and Three year old trotters and pacers may be placed on the Stewards List for an extended break with the intent of qualifying without complying with Chapter 7, Section 60. Section 5. Purse Structure and Promotional Funds 1. Nomination fees, continuation fees, supplementary eligibility fees, starting fees, and registration fees will be allocated to purses as follows: A. Stallion registration fees will be allocated equally among all trotting and pacing 2 and 3 year olds events. B. Yearling nomination fees will be equally divided among all trotting and pacing 2 year olds events in the year nominations are made. C. Two-year-old continuation fees will be shared by all classes of 2 year olds sustained. D. Three-year-old continuation fees will be shared by all classes of 3 year olds sustained. E. Sustaining fees will be allocated to the particular event to which payment is made by age, gait and sex. F. Any supplemental eligibility fee payments made will be allocated to the event to which payment is made. G. Starting fees will be due at the time of declaration and must be paid to Associations prior to the start of the race and allocated to specific events. 2. Moneys accruing to benefit the fund under provisions of Title 8, Chapter 11 Section 286, Chapter 31 Section 1036, subsection 2.C and subsection 2-A.I, shall be disbursed as follows: A. Two-year-olds will race for a base purse which shall be determined by the Commission based on estimated available funds plus $100.00 per starter. The Commission shall determine the base purse not less than 30 days prior to the first scheduled stake race. B provisions of Title 8, Chapter 11 Section 286, Chapter 31 Section 1036, subsection 2.C and subsection 2-A.I, shall be disbursed as follows: A. Two-year-olds will race for a base purse which shall be determined by the Commission based on estimated available funds plus $100.00 per starter. The Commission shall determine the base purse not less than 30 days prior to the first scheduled stake race. B. Three-year-olds will race for a base purse which shall be determined by the Commission based on estimated available funds plus $125.00 per starter. The Commission shall determine the base purse not less than 30 days prior to the first scheduled stake race. C. The purse will be distributed as follows: The purse for both the two-year old and the three-year old finals shall include payments of 1.25% for sixth place, 1% for seventh place, and 0.75% percent for eighth place. The 3% necessary for these additional purse payments shall be subtracted from the base purse amount, with the normal 50-25-12-8-5 allocation taken from the remaining purse amount. In the event that there are fewer than five starters, the purse formula described in this subsection shall apply. Starters must finish the race in order to qualify for purse money, except in the case of an accident in accordance with Chapter 7, Section 76. D. Should circumstances prevent the racing of any or all of these events, moneys will be prorated among the owners of eligibles of the uncontested event or events at the time of declaring off. 3. The Sire Stakes fund includes contributions under 8 M.R.S. §§ 286 and 1036(2)(C) and (2-A)(I). The greater of $10,000 or 5% of the Sire Stake Fund generated annually may be allocated and disbursed by the Commission for the promotion of the Sire Stakes program in accordance with 8 M.R.S. § 1037(4)(F). Section 6. Conditions 1. All races will be one mile, and will be conducted under the rules of the Maine Harness Racing Commission. 2. Unless otherwise specified in the conditions, declaration time shall be 9:00 a.m 0 or 5% of the Sire Stake Fund generated annually may be allocated and disbursed by the Commission for the promotion of the Sire Stakes program in accordance with 8 M.R.S. § 1037(4)(F). Section 6. Conditions 1. All races will be one mile, and will be conducted under the rules of the Maine Harness Racing Commission. 2. Unless otherwise specified in the conditions, declaration time shall be 9:00 a.m. and the box shall close at that time. 3. There shall be no more than one division unless there are more declarations that can score abreast without a trailing horse. 4. Race secretaries must divide entries by sex. Any race that has more than one division shall be split by the Judges. When a class is split and there are multiple owners and trainers, the Judges shall split the owners, then trainers randomly and the remaining entries will be split randomly. The draw may be done by the USTA random draw system. 5. If an Association utilizes a detention barn for stake races, all applicable paddock rules shall apply to the detention barn. 6. Two and three year old trotters and pacers that have been scratched as sick or lame from a Maine Standardbred Breeders stakes event any time after being declared in, must have a well slip from a licensed veterinarian stating the colt or filly is fit to race before a declaration to start can be valid. 7. The final event shall be the last stakes event contested in the racing season for each division and shall be limited to the eight highest point winners declared in to race and eligible to start. If two or more horses are tied in points for eighth (8th) position for the final race, the eighth starter shall be drawn by lot. Two also eligibles may be drawn and programmed, based on points earned during the year and the highest point winner shall be moved in first in the event of a scratch. If the also eligibles are tied in points earned the same procedure shall be used as outlined above for the eighth starter rses are tied in points for eighth (8th) position for the final race, the eighth starter shall be drawn by lot. Two also eligibles may be drawn and programmed, based on points earned during the year and the highest point winner shall be moved in first in the event of a scratch. If the also eligibles are tied in points earned the same procedure shall be used as outlined above for the eighth starter. Final events that do not fill with point winners may be filled with 2 and 3 year olds that have participated in at least one leg of their stake division and drawn by lot. 9. Consolation Final 1. A Consolation Final may be offered for each Sire Stakes Division. No horse eligible for the final event, except for also eligible entries programmed but did not participate in the final event, shall be eligible for the Consolation Final. Horses eligible for the Consolation Final shall be the next highest point earners in each division after those eligible for and participating in the final event. All Consolation Final horses must have participated in at least one leg of their stake division. In the event two or more horses tie in points for the eighth position for the Consolation Final, the eighth starter shall be drawn by lot. Two also eligibles may be drawn and programmed, based on points earned during the year and the highest point winner shall be drawn in first in the event of a scratch. If the also eligibles are tied in points earned the same procedure shall be used as outlined above for the eighth starter. No Consolation Final may be programmed with less than six eligible horses. Monies for each Consolation Final shall be set aside from the Sire Stakes Purse Fund. 3. Declarations for the Final and Consolation Final Races must be made at the time declarations are due for the Final Events. The top eight point winning horses and up to two also eligibles will be drawn in to the Final Events. The remaining horses that have declared in will be drawn in to the Consolation Final pursuant to Chapter 9, Section 6, subsection 8.1 aside from the Sire Stakes Purse Fund. 3. Declarations for the Final and Consolation Final Races must be made at the time declarations are due for the Final Events. The top eight point winning horses and up to two also eligibles will be drawn in to the Final Events. The remaining horses that have declared in will be drawn in to the Consolation Final pursuant to Chapter 9, Section 6, subsection 8.1. 4. No Consolation Final may be programmed unless there are eight entries in the Final Event. Section 7. Current Season Standings 1. Two and three year olds will be awarded points based upon their finishing position in each Maine Standardbred Breeders Stake race during the stakes season. 2. Dash winners will be awarded 50 points. Second place finishers will be awarded 25 points; Third place finishers will be awarded 12 points; Fourth place finishers will be awarded 8 points; Fifth place finishers will be awarded 5 points; and, Sixth place finishers will be awarded 1 point. All points earned during the year will count toward eligibility to the final. 3. In the event of a dead heat for any position the points for those positions will be added and divided equally among the horses involved. 4. The order of finish declared "Official" by the Judges will be used in determining points earned. In the event of an appeal of a Judges decision, the Commission will make every effort to hear and decide the appeal prior to declaration time for the final. In the event of an unresolved appeal, the original Judges decision will stand for purposes of calculating points earned and eligibility to the final. ## Nearby sections - [01-017 Ch. 1 Ch. 1: Administration](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_CMR_01_017_1.md) - [01-017 Ch. 3 Ch. 3: Officials and Racetrack Personnel](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_CMR_01_017_3.md) - [01-017 Ch. 5 Ch. 5: ) Tracks](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_CMR_01_017_5.md) - [01-017 Ch. 7 Ch. 7: Racing](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_CMR_01_017_7.md) - [01-017 Ch. 9 Ch. 9: Sires Stakes](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_CMR_01_017_9.md) - [01-017 Ch. 11 Ch. 11: Medications, Prohibited Substances and Testing](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_CMR_01_017_11.md) - [01-017 Ch. 13 Ch. 13: Pari-Mutuel Wagering](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_CMR_01_017_13.md) - [01-017 Ch. 15 Ch. 15: Off-Track Betting](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_CMR_01_017_15.md) - [01-017 Ch. 17 Ch. 17: Rule Violations; Penalties](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_CMR_01_017_17.md) - [01-017 Ch. 19 Ch. 19: Protests, Appeals and Race Date Assignment Hearings](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_CMR_01_017_19.md) - [01-017 Ch. 21 Ch. 21: General Hearing Procedures](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_CMR_01_017_21.md) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_CMR_01_017_9. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.