NY horsemen sign Tioga deal

Tioga Downs, located in the Southern Tier in Nichols, NY, and the Southern Tier Harness Horseman Association (STHHA) have signed a deal paving the way for harness racing at the new racing and gaming facility located just east of Binghamton.



"The Southern Tier Harness Horsemen Association and all its members are very pleased that a contractual agreement with Tioga Downs has been reached. The contract gives Tioga Downs and all its horsemen a great opportunity to have exciting harness racing in the southern tier of New York, race for great purses, and have an overall positive effect on harness racing in New York State," said STHHA president Joseph Osmeloski.



Jeffrey Gural, an avid harness racing fan and chairman of Newmark Knight Frank, a New York-based real estate firm, has been the driving force behind Tioga Downs and its partners Nevada Gold, Plainfield and TrackPower. "The process of signing a contract with the Southern Tier Harness Horsemen Association has been a pleasure," said Gural. "It is nice to work with a group of horsemen who recognize we are partners and that our goal is to attract people back to harness racing."



The racetrack, which is located just off Route 17, the future home of I-86, is just over the Pennsylvania border and is planning a late May opening. Progress has been non-stop at the track since ground breaking last July.



"We are working fast and furious and looking forward to the track opening for live harness racing. The finalization of the contract with the STHHA is another step in the right direction for all of us and the horseman organization has been great to work with during this initial contract period," said Jason Settlemoir, Tioga Downs Vice President of Racing and Simulcasting.



Tioga Downs will host the Tompkins-Geers for 2 year olds this year and will look to have a wide variety of stakes races and early and late closers events as well.



Tioga Downs, a racing, gaming and entertainment facility with a theme of "a day at the fair" will offer live harness racing from May through September on Sunday afternoons, and Monday and Friday nights. Tioga Downs will offer simulcasting year round and the facility will include 750 video lottery terminals, a full buffet, and an arcade area. The 90,000 square foot grandstand will host sporting events and features a full theatrical stage area for concerts and other entertainment functions.

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