Tioga Downs kicked off its first qualifying events of the 2010 race season this morning

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Major Work Of Art and driver Phil Fluet posted the fastest qualifying time of the morning with a front-end effort in 1:57.1. Fluet sent the three-year old son of Art Major--Out Of Pocket to the front through fractions of :27.4, 1:00.2 and 1:28.3 before pacing home a final panel of :28.3. Major Work Of Art is eligible to the $250,000 Empire Breeders Classic at the end of May.

“We can’t wait to get open so the horsemen don’t have to spend hours shipping and can stay close to home to race for good money," STHHA President Guy Howard said this morning.

The three other qualifying winners on Friday morning were Miss Rambo (driven by Maynard Cornell) in 2:01, Tisnstars Dreamer (Ronald Lineweaver) in 2:03 and Nothingcanshakeme (Jeff Sorenson) in 1:59.

“The new track material is much better for the horses and will be better for their feet throughout the year," Tioga Downs Track Superintendent Richard Pirog said. "We are using the same type of track material that Vernon Downs uses and it will help withstand the rain better than it has in past years."

(Tioga Downs)