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Grassroots Program
Gold Program
General OSS Infomation
All OSS and Trillium Series races shall be conducted in accordance with the Ontario Racing Commission's Rules of Standardbred Racing and individual track rules approved by the ORC. Racetrack retention barn rules may apply. All participants are strongly advised to make themselves familiar with rules specifically related to the OSS and Trillium Series. Gold and Grassroots events are numbered 1 through 5 and horses are eligible to be entered in EITHER the Gold OR Grassroots event of the same number, but NOT BOTH. Because in each category there are 6 Grassroots events as opposed to 5 Gold events, two of the Grassroots events will have the same number and will be referred to as either "A" or "B". For example, when the Grassroots events with the same number are 3A and 3B, horsemen entering the Gold #3 event will have to miss both Grassroots 3A and 3B. Regardless of points earned in Gold and Grassroots races, horses must still be entered in Gold Super Finals, Grassroots Semi-Finals and Grassroots Finals. There are no starting fees for any of these types of races. Driver and trainer commission cheques will be issued monthly for all amounts earned the previous month. Horses for the Gold Finals will be drawn on the night of the eliminations following the last elimination race. Anyone qualifying for the Gold Final but not wishing to participate, must notify the Race Secretary before the draw is made. Three Also Eligible horses will be drawn in case of scratches but only two AE horses will be programmed. Starting fees are still due in the event that a horse must be scratched for whatever reason.
Breeders' Rewards: In 2008, the breeder of horses earning purse money in the OSS Program will receive 7% of the horse’s OSS earnings in Breeders’ Rewards. An additional Breeders’ Reward amounting to 8% of all OSS purses will be made available as an Ontario Breeder Reward. Starting with the 2009 foaling season, a Mare Residency Program is being established. Breeders of horses born in 2009 and later that earn money in the OSS program will be entitled to Breeders’ Rewards only if the broodmare was recognized as an Accredited Resident Mare by the Program in the year of foaling out. Racing Conditions: Each of the events shall be raced at a distance of one mile. In Gold Elimination races and Grassroots events that split into two or more divisions, entries shall be seeded by lot. All races shall be conducted in accordance with the rules of the Ontario Racing Commission (ORC) and all participants are strongly advised to make themselves familiar with the rules. Should conditions beyond the control of the ORC prevent the racing of any event, the ORC reserves the right to declare the event off and to distribute the money to the current eligibles or to transfer the event to another date, or to another track, or to do both. If a Gold Elimination race has been contested, but circumstances, in the determination of the ORC, prevent the Final or Consolation from being raced at that track, the Final or Consolation may be moved to another track or the ORC may declare the event off and distribute Final or Consolation purse money to horses eligible to the race and pay Breeders' Rewards as determined. Money Division: 5 or more starters: 50-25-12-8-5%; 4 starters: 50-25-15-10%; 3 starters: 60-30-10%; 2 starters: 65-35%; 1 starter: 100%. Gait: Any eligible filly, colt or gelding, changing gait after the sustaining payment in either year, will be eligible to race at the gait adopted.
Starting Fees: In 2008, the starting fee for Grassroots events will be $350 and the starting fee for Gold Elimination events will be $750. There will be no starting fees for the Grassroots Semi-Finals and Finals, Gold Finals, Consolations and Super Finals. The starting fee is due in accordance with Ontario Racing Commission (ORC) rules in effect at race time, but in any event, they must be paid before the horse starts. Cheques should be made payable to “Ontario Sires Stakes." Trainers and/or owners are responsible for verifying declaration times at each track. These times will be strictly adhered to. The Lampman Cup The Lampman Cup was established in 1987 in memory of long time Ontario Jockey Club harness racing publicist Jim Lampman. The Cup is annually presented to the leading driver in the Ontario Sires Stakes based on a point system.
One point is awarded for each OSS and Trillium Series start. Four extra points are awarded for a win; three extra points for a second and two extra points for a third. The Johnston Cup The Johnston Cup was founded in 1993 in memory of Bruce Johnston, the publisher of The Canadian Sportsman. It is awarded yearly to the leading trainer in the Ontario Sires Stakes based on the same points system as listed above for the Lampman Cup. Back to top Program Format - Grassroots Series In 2008, there will be a series of forty-eight (48) Grassroots events with six raced in each of the eight categories for age, sex and gait. If more horses declare to start in any event than is permitted at that track, the event shall be split into the appropriate number of divisions with entries seeded by lot. In 2008, each Grassroots event will be contested for a purse of $20,000 per division. Please Note: Gold and Grassroots events are numbered 1 through 5 and horses are eligible to be entered in EITHER the Gold OR Grassroots even of the same number, but NOT BOTH. Because in each category there are 6 Grassroots events as opposed to 5 Gold events, two of the Grassroots events will have the same number and will be referred to as either "A" or "B". For example, if the Grassroots events with the same number are 3A and 3B, horsemen entering the Gold #3 event will have to miss both Grassroots 3A and 3B.2006 Grassroots Semi Final and Final Rules
1. Each of the eight categories of age, sex and gait will have a Semi-Final and Final.
2. In each category, points will be awarded in all Grassroots Series race divisions as follows:
First Place: 50 points;
Second Place: 25 points;
Third Place: 12 Points;
Fourth Place: 8 points;
Fifth Place: 5 Points In the event of a dead heat, both horses will receive the points awarded for their finish position.
3. Points are updated daily on the Standardbred Canada computer system and on this website under the Leaders menu. 4. The top 16 horses in the point standings declared in will compete in one of two eight horse $30,000 Semi-Final divisions.
5. A horse must start in a minimum of two Grassroots Series events to be eligible to enter the Semi-Final.
6. In the event of a tie in the standings, horses will be drawn by lot after the box closes.
7. The two “Also Eligible” horses will be the 17th and 18th highest point earners declared and they will be the same for both Semi-Final divisions. In the event of a tie in the standings for the Also Eligible horses, they will be drawn by lot.
8. A $60,000 Grassroots Final for each category will be contested approximately one week after the Semi-Final.
9. There will be eight starters in all Grassroots Finals, regardless of host track.
10. Starters in the Final will be the top eight finishers in the Semi-Final divisions that declare in. In the event of a tie for the final position, the starters will be drawn by lot. A dead heat may not cause the number of starters to increase. Horses finishing in a dead heat are considered to have finished the same. Horses finishing in a dead heat will be ranked behind horses finishing in the same position but not in a dead heat.
11. The 9th & 10th highest place finishers declared in will be the first and second “Also Eligible” horses in the Final. In the event of a tie, they will be drawn by lot.
12. There will be no starting fee for the Semi-Finals or Finals. 13. Any horse may enter its respective OSS Gold Super Final, or OSS Grassroots Semi-Final, but it cannot enter both, unless it was Also Eligible and did not draw into the Grassroots Semi-Final. Note: Regardless of the points a horse has earned, if he has a minimum of 2 starts as mentioned above and is considered competitive, he should be entered in the Grassroots Semi-Final. Program Format - Gold Series In 2008, there will be a series of forty (40) Gold events with five raced in each of the eight categories of age/sex/ gait. If needed, each Gold Final shall have eliminations that will be raced approximately one week prior to the Gold Final. The eliminations will be held at the same track as the Final whenever possible. The elimination races are to qualify the starters in the field for the Gold Final. If there are not more horses declared to the elimination than can compete in the Final, the elimination will be cancelled and all horses will be considered declared directly into the Final to be held the next week. In this case, the purse of the Elimination will be added to the Final. A Gold Consolation will be held for horses competing in the eliminations that do not qualify for the Final, provided there are at least six horses declared to the Consolation. If insufficient horses declare into the Consolation, it will be cancelled and the purse will be added to the Final. Declarations for the Consolation will close on the host track’s regular draw date and time. The Consolation will be held the same night and at the same track as the Final. No points towards the Gold Super Finals will be awarded for the Gold Consolation races. In 2008, each Gold Elimination will race for a purse of $40,000, each Consolation will race for a purse of $20,000, and each Gold Final will race for a purse of $120,000. All races (eliminations, the Consolation and the Final) under any particular Gold Event are considered one event, and therefore Rule 12.10.02 and 17.12.02 of the Rules of Standardbred Racing may apply. Determination of Eligibility to the Gold Finals: The starters for the Final will be determined by the order of finish in the elimination race(s). For the number of starters permitted for the Final, please refer to the Ontario Sires Stakes Racing Guide for the applicable year. When more than one horse is eligible to the last starting position by virtue of its finish in the elimination races, a draw by lot will be conducted to determine the final starter. A dead heat may not cause the number of starters to increase. Horses finishing in a dead heat are considered to have finished the same. Horses finishing in a dead heat will be ranked behind horses finishing in the same position but not in a dead heat. Horses for the Gold Finals will be drawn on the night of the eliminations following the last elimination race. Anyone qualifying for the Gold Final but not wishing to participate must notify the Race Secretary before the draw is made. Three also eligible horses will be drawn in case of early scratches but only two also eligible horses will be programmed. Determination of Eligibility to the Gold Consolations: Horses that race in a Gold Elimination event and do not qualify for that Gold Final are eligible to declare into the Consolation, provided they have not been placed on the Judges’ List. Declarations for the Gold Consolation will close on the host track’s regular draw date and time. If less than six horses are declared to the Consolation, it will be cancelled and the purse will be added to the Final. The starters for the Consolation will be determined from the declared horses by their order of finish in the elimination races. Horses drawn as also eligible starters in the Final can be declared into the Consolation but will be required to move from the Consolation into the Final in the event of a scratch before the wagering commences. For the maximum number of starters permitted for the Consolation, please refer to the Ontario Sires Stakes Racing Guide for the applicable year. Two also eligible horses will be drawn for the Consolation. When more than one declared horse is eligible to the last starting position by virtue of its finish in the elimination races, a draw by lot will be conducted to determine the final starter. A dead heat may not cause the number of starters to increase. Horses finishing in a dead heat are considered to have finished the same. Horses finishing in a dead heat will be ranked behind horses finishing in the same position but not in a dead heat. Please Note: Gold and Grassroots events are numbered 1 through 5 and horses are eligible to be entered in EITHER the Gold OR Grassroots even of the same number, but NOT BOTH. Because in each category there are 6 Grassroots events as opposed to 5 Gold events, two of the Grassroots events will have the same number and will be referred to as either "A" or "B". For example, if the Grassroots events with the same number are 3A and 3B, horsemen entering the Gold #3 event will have to miss both Grassroots 3A and 3B. OSS Gold Super Final Rules
1. Any horse may enter its respective OSS Gold Super Final, provided it has made at least two starts in Gold Eliminations in the appropriate year, or has earned a minimum of 20 points in OSS Gold events in the appropriate year.
2. In each category, points will be awarded in both OSS Gold eliminations and OSS Gold Finals as follows:
| First Place | | 50 Points | | Second Place | | 25 Points | | Third Place | | 12 Points | | Fourth Place | | 8 Points | | Fifth Place | | 5 Points |
In the event of a dead heat, both horses will receive the points awarded for their finish position.
3. Points are updated after each Gold event and are maintained by Standardbred Canada’s computing system. The point standings may be viewed on this wedsite under the Leaders menu.
4. The top ten (10) point earners declared in will contest the Super Final.
5. In the event of a tie in the point standings after the entry box has closed, horses will be selected by: First: Most wins in OSS Gold Finals in the appropriate season; Second: Most wins in OSS Gold eliminations in the appropriate season; Third: The process of being drawn by lot.
6. The two “also eligible” horses will be the 11th and 12th highest point earners declared in. In the event of a tie in the point standings after the entry box has closed, horses will be selected by: First: Most wins in OSS Gold Finals in the appropriate season; Second: Most wins in OSS Gold eliminations in the appropriate season; Third: Being drawn by lot.
7. There will be no starting fee for the Super Finals.
8. Any horse may enter its respective OSS Gold Super Final or OSS Grassroots Semi-Final, but it cannot enter both, unless it was Also Elegible and did not draw into the Grassroots Semi-Final. Note: If a horse has a minimum of two starts or has earned a minimum of 20 points in OSS Gold events, as mentioned above, and is considered competitive, it should be entered in the Super Final.
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