Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs have finalized their 2012 race and stakes schedule for the upcoming race season, pending regulatory approval
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“We pride ourselves at Tioga and Vernon on the racing product and promotions we offer our fans during the summer months in upstate New York, and look forward to what we hope will be the best year yet for Tioga and Vernon Downs,” said Jason M. Settlemoir, vice president of Racing and Simulcast for the two tracks.
Tioga Downs will hold 61 live racing days in 2012. The schedule is set to get under way on Saturday, May 5 (Kentucky Derby Day) in Nichols, New York. Highlighting the 2012 stakes calendar at Tioga Downs is the $200,000 (est.) Artiscape Pace for open pacing mares and the $200,000 (est.) Bettors Delight Open Pace, both of which are scheduled for Sunday, June 10.
Tioga Downs will once again host the first leg of pacing’s Triple Crown, the Cane Pace, with eliminations on Sunday, August 26 with the final on Monday, September 3. The Empire Breeders Classic for three-year-old New York-bred pacers will be held later in the year as in seasons past, with eliminations on Sunday, August 5 and the $250,000 (est.) finals to be held a week later on Sunday, August 12. Other marquee events held at Tioga Downs in 2012 will include the Tompkins-Geers, a leg of the Miss Versatility, the Shady Daisy, and the Historic Stakes.
Vernon Downs will kick off its 2012 race season on Friday, April 27 to open up its 90-day race meet from April 27 through November 3. Vernon Downs will be the 2012 host of American Racing and Entertainment’s marquee event, the $50,000 Drivers’ Championship, which has been held at Tioga Downs since it conception in 2007. The Drivers’ Championship will share the spotlight at Vernon Downs with the $700,000 (est.) Zweig Memorial Trot on Sunday, August 26.
The $200,000 (est.) Muscle Hill Open Mare Trot and $200,000 (est.) Credit Winner Open Trot will also return to Vernon Downs in 2012, on Friday, September 7. The $500,000 (est.) Empire Breeders Classic for New York-bred trotters will headline the month of June at Vernon Downs, with eliminations on Friday, June 1 and the $250,000 (est.) finals a week later on Friday, June 8. Also scattered around the 2012 stakes schedule at Vernon Downs will be the Historic Stakes, along with legs and the final of the $175,000 Kindergarten Classic.
Payments for stakes administered by Tioga/Vernon can be made using SC Stakes Online (select 'Make Stake Payments').
(Tioga/Vernon)