Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs are feeling the pinch, as casinos at both properties have not been permitted to open. With more than 90 per cent of the revenue for purses funded by the casino, purse money is running out at both venues.

Management opened both tracks in early June, as soon as allowable by Executive Order, to get the horses racing and earning for the owners and trainers after the long dry spell caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time, the hope was that the casinos at both properties would soon be up and running. Sadly, that has not occurred.

Without casino revenue, both tracks are currently racing for casino-generated purse money that had accumulated from the end of the 2019 live meet until the shutdown order was given. The level of that funding has now reached the point where decisions must be made on future dates.

Tioga Downs has been racing three days per week on a schedule that was to continue through September 19. It has become necessary to reduce to two days per week, Saturday and Sunday, beginning August 1, with the goal being to continue to race through mid-September.

Vernon Downs is currently racing two days per week, scheduled through November 21. Without casino revenue, the money for purses will run out and racing will end there in early September.

In the event the casinos are permitted to open, the above plans would change.

Starting August 1, both tracks are also moving to an earlier post time. Vernon will race on Friday and Saturday at 3:00 p.m. both days. Tioga will race at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday and 1:00 p.m. on Sunday. All of the above is pending regulatory approval.

Tioga will have a double draw for the Saturday, August 1 and Sunday, August 2 live cards on Wednesday, July 29 with a box close of 9:00 a.m.

(Tioga/Vernon)