Jeff Gural has been right at the forefront of the quest to see the industry's top young stars return for aged campaigns. It now appears that the owner/chairman of Tioga and
Vernon Downs, along with Blue Chip Farms, is stepping up to the plate.
Tioga Downs today announced the addition of the $200,000 (estimated) Bettors Delight 'Bred in New York to Take on the World' Open Pace to its 2010 stakes schedule.
The fans of Tioga Downs will be given the opportunity to see some of the best free-for-all pacers in the world come through Nichols, New York on Sunday, June 13.
In a release sent out today, Tioga Downs noted that it would like to thank Blue Chip Farms for sponsorship of the Bettors Delight 'Bred in New York to Take on the World' Open Pace.
Bettors Delight won 15 of his 26 career outings and missed the board only four times in his career. He retired with over $2.5 million in purses and a career mark of 1:49.4. Bettors Delight stands at Blue Chip Farms in Wallkill, New York for a stud fee of $12,000. His offspring have earned more then $44 million, with the top earners being top-notch pacing mare Darlins Delight, the hard-knocking Southwind Tempo, and one of New York’s finest, Kenneth J.
“We have nothing but respect for the partnership and Jeff Gural for giving New York racing the opportunity to race on bigger tracks in New York," said Blue Chip Farms' Mike Kimmelman. "We are excited about being involved in creating another great racing opportunity for aged horses close to home.”
With the addition of the event, Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs now have opportunities for each gait and sex at the older level all for $200,000 (estimated). The other events are The Credit Winner, an open event for aged trotters, The Conway Hall, an open event for female trotters, and The Artiscape, an open event for female pacers. With the demise of the Classic Series, Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs felt it necessary to add money to all of these events to give the older horses another opportunity during the race season to compete for good money.
“We are excited to add the Bettors Delight Open Pace to the stakes calendar for 2010, as it gives the older horses another opportunity to showcase what harness racing is all about," said Jeff Gural, owner and chairman of Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs.
"Racing needs these horses to stay on the track and compete against each other to provide rivalries and excitement for fans to follow during the season.”
(With files from Tioga)