NYSS kicks off at Yonkers Raceway

ALBANY, N.Y. – The 2024 New York Sire Stakes harness racing season begins on Monday, May 20, at historic Yonkers Raceway in Yonkers, N.Y. The opening day race program will feature 3-year-old Filly Trot and Pace races across both New York Sire Stakes and Excelsior Series beginning at 7 p.m.Monday’s 10-race program will include purses exceeding $325,000.

“We are thrilled to get the new racing season underway at Yonkers Raceway,” said Ralph Scunziano, Executive Director of the Agriculture & New York State Horse Breeding Development Fund. “I’d like to wish all the best to New York Sire Stakes and Excelsior Stakes owners, trainers and drivers ahead of what promises to be an exciting, competitive year of racing.”

Complete 2024 New York Sire Stakes and Excelsior Series schedules can be found here. The New York Sire Stakes season will culminate with the annual “Day of Champions” event on Saturday, September 7, at Yonkers Raceway. The Excelsior Series Finals will take place on Friday, September 13, at Vernon Downs Casino Hotel in Vernon, N.Y.

The New York Sire Stakes is the state’s premier harness racing program for 2- and 3-year-old Standardbreds. Established to encourage the breeding, buying and racing of Standardbred horses in New York State, it is the nation’s oldest harness racing program of its kind and has served as a model for state-bred racing programs.

To learn more, visit the New York Sire Stakes website.