Tioga Downs has announced that with the opening of live racing in 2011, the condition sheet will reflect a

10 per cent purse increase across the board.

The top class at Tioga Downs in 2010 was going for $15,000 and will now be racing for $16,500 in 2011. Stall applications can be found online at tiogadowns.com along with a list of Tioga’s early and late closing events for 2011.

“This goes to show how hard work between management and the horsemen’s group can pay off," said Jason M. Settlemoir, VP of Racing and Simulcast. "We feel that Tioga’s purses are very competitive with many of the locations around us in New York and Pennsylvania and give horsemen another great place to race.”

Tioga Downs is proud to announce that it will host a 61-day race meet in 2011 which will kick off on Saturday, May 7, 2011 (Kentucky Derby Day) and will continue through Saturday, September 10. This will mark the sixth year that Tioga Downs will open its doors for the much anticipated race season in Nichols, New York. Tioga will continue with its Friday, Saturday, and Sunday race schedule and will also race on eight Mondays in 2011.

The marquee event of the race season at Tioga Downs, the fifth annual Drivers’ Championship, has been moved back later in the year for 2011 and will now fall on Sunday, August 28. The Drivers’ Championship will co-highlight one of the biggest race days for the Empire State with the $420,000 (estimated) Zweig Memorial Trot.

Another date to mark on the Tioga Downs’ calendar is Monday, August 1, as Tioga Downs has been given the honour of taking part in the World Drivers’ Championship. Drivers from all over the world will compete in a five-round championship on five different tracks on the east coast. Tioga Downs will be the second round of the championship on Monday, August 1 with a first-race post time of 6:00 p.m.

“We are looking forward to August 28, as we feel it is going to be one of the biggest race days that we have ever had at Tioga," said Settlemoir. "The Drivers’ Championship, paired up with the Zweig, is going to be a great day for fans to be in Nichols, New York to watch the sport's best drivers and horses compete for a lot of money.”

For more information on Tioga Downs or Vernon Downs, along with racing calendars please visit us online at tiogadowns.com or vernondowns.com.

(Tioga/Vernon)