It’s that time of year once again when harness racing fans will hear the call to post at Tioga Downs Casino Resort.
Live racing returns to the famous Tioga oval on Saturday, May 7 with a special slate of racing scheduled around the 148th running of the Kentucky Derby from Churchill Downs.
“We’re proud to be the home for the best harness racing in all of the Southern Tier, and we’re excited to welcome our fans back to the track,” said Tioga Downs owner Jeff Gural. “There’s no better place in the region where families can come trackside and enjoy a night out with each other, and where racing fans can take in some of the most competitive races in the state.”
The 2022 season kicks off with a special 5 p.m. post time on Saturday, May 7. Food and drink specials will be in place all evening long, along with live entertainment coming from the PJ Clarke’s patio and a special t-shirt giveaway. Guests will also be encouraged to participate in the ever-popular Kentucky Derby hat contest, and more promotions are expected.
There will be scheduled breaks in live racing so guests can watch the 148th "Run for the Roses" live from Churchill Downs.
This season will also feature eight New York Sire Stakes race days, showcasing the best Standardbreds in the state and some of the greatest harness drivers in the industry. The competitive racing schedule will also feature the Empire Breeders Classic finals for three-year-old colt and filly pacers on Sunday, Aug. 28.
Tioga Downs is also proud to host, for the first time ever, the New York Sire Stakes Day of Champions on Saturday, Sept. 10. There will be a special double header of racing that day featuring eight NYSS finals for a purse of $200,000 each, with purses for the day of racing over $1.6 million. The first half of the double header featuring the NYSS finals will start at 1 p.m. The second half will feature overnight racing with a post time of 6:15 p.m.
The 2022 racing season will be packed with promotions that will be fun for the whole family to enjoy. Sunday post times begin at 1 p.m. All other race days, post time is 6:15 p.m., including a special night of racing on Monday, July 4, followed by a spectacular firework display.
The first condition sheet is posted and purses are all up around 25 per cent this season.
There will be a double draw on Wednesday, May 4 for both cards, with a box close of 9 a.m. Electronic entry is encouraged and the Race Office phone number is 607-699-7688. Check the website for pertinent information including the special 5 p.m. post time Lasix schedule.
Andrew "Shades" Demsky is the Racing Secretary and Brett Risi the Racing Operations Manager. Presiding judge this season is Kevin Connolly and the direct line to the judges is 607-699-7573.
Tioga's leading driver of the past few seasons, Wally Hennessey, has taken his tack to Saratoga Harness and will not be here to drive this season. In his absence a competitive, hungry group of young drivers will vie for the 2022 title.
(With files from Tioga Downs)