TgDn/VD announce races

Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs are pleased to announce some of its early closing events for the 2007 race season, along with our race dates that are pending New York State Racing and Wagering Board regulatory approval.

Tioga Downs will begin racing on Friday, May 11 and race until Friday, Sept. 14. Vernon Downs will begin racing action on Friday, April 6 until Saturday, Nov. 3. All race dates still pending regulatory approval from the New York State Racing and Wagering Board.

The Credit Winner is a new early-closing event for 2007 that is an Open Trot sponsored by the Credit Winner Syndicate. The Credit Winner will be raced over the seven-eighths mile track at Vernon Downs for an estimated $125,000 purse on Thursday, Aug. 16.

The Conway Hall is also a new early-closing event for 2007 that is slated for mare trotters, sponsored by The Conway Hall Syndicate. Eliminations of $12,500 (est.) will be raced on Saturday, May 19, followed by the $100,000 (est.) final on Monday, May 28 at Vernon Downs.

Vernon Downs will host The Artiscape Pace for aged mare pacers for the second straight year, which is sponsored by the Artiscape Syndicate Brittany Farms & Stallion Management. Eliminations of $12,500 (est.) will be held if necessary on Thursday, Aug. 9, with the $100,000 (est.) final to go postward on Thursday, Aug. 16. Last year the Artiscape pace was won by the Ross Croghan-trainee Easton Alliance N driven by Catello Manzi in a new track record for aged mare pacers of 1:51.

The Miss Versatility for aged mare trotters is sponsored by Allerage Farms and will be contested over three weeks, on three different size racetracks. The first leg will be held on Saturday, Aug. 11 at Tioga Downs for $25,000 (est.). The second leg of the Miss Versatility will be at Vernon Downs on Thursday, Sept. 13 for $25,000 (est.). The $100,000 (est.) final will be raced on Jug Day Thursday, Sept. 20, at the Delaware County Fair.

Last year’s winners included Ticket To Glide in the first leg at Tioga Downs in 1:56.3, the 2006 Breeders Crown Champion Mystical Sunshine in the second leg at Vernon Downs in 1:55 for driver Ron Pierce. The $100,000 final was won by long shot Lavec Dream, who was piloted by George Brennan in 1:55.2 at odds of more than 48-1 at The Delaware County Fair for owner-trainer Peter Kleinhans.

Connections of those mares participating in the Miss Versatility final will receive a hospitality package from the Little Brown Jug including tent access and seating.

The Kindergarten Classic will host events for both sex and gait of the freshman class for the second straight year beginning in early July. There will be six $10,000 legs, an estimated $85,000 final, and a $10,000 consolation race for all four divisions. Finals for those on the trot will be contested at Vernon Downs on Thursday, Sept. 13 while the competitors on the pace will battle it out at Tioga Downs on Friday, Sept. 14.

For questions regarding racing at Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs e-mail jsettlemoir@tiogadowns.com, or call (607) 699-7588. Also, on the web at www.tiogadowns.com and www.vernondowns.com. All stakes and series information will be posted soon along with pending race dates. (with files from Vernon/Tioga)

« Back