The Southern Tier Harness Horsemen’s Association (STHHA) and Tioga Downs have agreed to execute a five-year agreement that begins in 2011
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In the new contract, the STHHA has increased its number of live race days at Tioga Downs from 57 to 61 days per year. The contract also states that as long as the horse supply is sufficient, Tioga Downs will have 12 races on Fridays and Saturdays with 13 races on Sundays, with the exception of nights fireworks have been scheduled.
In the new contract the administration payment paid to the STHHA by Tioga Downs has been increased from 3.5 per cent to 4 per cent. Written into the contract is $25,000 from the STHHA that is to be matched by Tioga Downs for charities and promotional activities each year for the duration of the contract.
Tioga Downs will open the backstretch on April 1st and the barn area and racetrack will remain open through September 30th as agreed upon in the five-year deal.
“We are happy that we were able to work with management to get more races and a few more race dates at Tioga for our horsemen. We figure that with going the extra race days and races that we will be able to have about 80 to 90 more races than we had in 2010,” said Guy Howard, President of the STHHA.
“It is nice to work with the STHHA because they are realistic in their wishes, both sides came to the table and hammered out a five-year deal that is good for both the horsemen and management,” said Jason M. Settlemoir, VP of Racing and Simulcast.
(Tioga Downs)