Code of Maine Rules › 01 - DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION AND FORESTRY › 017 - MAINE STATE HARNESS RACING COMMISSION › Chapter 9 - SIRE STAKES › Section 017-9-6 - Conditions

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
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 than nine declarations at a track that
				can score eight abreast; eight declarations at a track that can score seven
				abreast; or, seven declarations at a track that can score six abreast. No
				division shall be made where one division has more than one starter more than
				the remaining divisions.
4. Race
				secretaries must divide 2 and 3-year-old pacing entries by sex. Beginning with
				foals resulting from the year 2000 breeding season and thereafter Race
				Secretaries must divide all entries by sex.
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.
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.
2. 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.
4. No Consolation Final may
				be programmed unless there are eight entries in the Final Event.