It was week two of a three week lesson at Tioga Downs for four local area high school students, who will take part in a scholarship harness race on Sunday, June 12
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Participants from Vestal, Newark Valley, Union Endicott, and Waverly High Schools are in the process of learning some of the tricks of the trade from some of the top conditioners at Tioga Downs. Jason McDougal, Ed Hensley, Judy Lanpher and Jamie Paquet have all volunteered their time to assist in helping the high school students get a better understanding of the sport of harness racing and some of the daily care that goes into the horses.
The race will take place on Sunday, June 12 at Tioga Downs in between the live races, which will also feature the $200,00(e) Bettor's Delight Open Pace and its counterpart the $200,000 Artiscape Pace for open mare pacers. The students will ride in a double seated jog cart with their professional driver-trainer, who they have learned from for the past three weeks.
Scholarships for the event will be given out in the order of finish of the race, 1st place: $3,000, 2nd place: $2,000, 3rd place: $1,200, 4th place: $800.
(Tioga Downs)