Catch up with Lucky Chucky on this week’s "Inside Harness Racing"

After earning back-to-back Dan Patch Awards and earning more than $2 million on the racetrack, Lucky Chucky began his stud career last year at Winbak Farm in New York. We travel to the farm and catch up with "Chucky" on this week's episode of "Inside Harness Racing."

"Inside Harness Racing," a weekly, half-hour television show, airs today (Wednesday) at 6:00 PM on Time Warner Cable Sports throughout Upstate New York. For the second year in a row, the show will also be broadcast on HPI TV in Canada. Viewers can also watch every episode online at the Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/tiogadowns).

"Lucky Chucky won the Zweig at Tioga Downs during his 3-year-old season and had a great following so we're excited to be able to visit him and update his fans on his new career as a Daddy," said the show's host and producer, Justin Horowitz.

Leading Vernon Downs driver Chris Lems is also featured on this week's show in Settlemoir's Spotlight.

Plus, Sapphire City broke the Tioga Downs track record on Sunday. We'll recap his sub-1:50 performance and talk with driver Tyler Buter, who was aboard for the win.

Watch this week's episode right now below:

Sapphire City sets track record in Tioga's Sunday feature

Sapphire City continued with his career best form on Sunday afternoon at Tioga Downs in the $16,500 Open pace, winning in 1:49.4.

The mile by Sapphire City established a new track record for 4-year-old gelding pacers on the five-eighths mile track.

Leaving from post position number three, Tyler Buter was unhurried as Eastend Eddie (Jason Bartlett) was putting up scorching fractions of 26, 54, and 1:21.1 on the front end.

Around the final turn, Sapphire City was tracking the leader and eating up racetrack with every stride to easily draw clear and win in a new lifetime best.

The 4-year-old gelded son of Metropolitan – Spectre Almahurst is owned by Centaur Stables and Jordon Skult and is trained by Mitchell Mac Kenzie.

It was the sixth win of the year for Sapphire City, who with the win, increased his seasonal bankroll to more than $68,000.

Voice Of Truth (Jim Meittinis) closed late for second, while Sheer Brilliance (Sean Bier) was third.

Jim Meittinis, Greg Merton, and Phil Fluet each posted driving doubles on the afternoon's 12-race card.

Tioga Downs continues live racing on Friday, May 18 at 6:50 pm.

For more information on Tioga Downs please visit us online at www.tiogadowns.com.

The Evictor takes Saturday night Tioga feature

The Evictor, (Lewayne Miller) despite making his initial start in 2012 following two qualifiers, used a first over grind to score in the $16,500 Open Trot on Saturday night at Tioga Downs.

Leaving from post position number two, Miller drifted out of the gate and settled in fourth as Diamond Hunter (Jimmy Marohn Jr.) cut through fractions of 28, 58.1, and 1:27.

As the field reached the top of the stretch, The Evictor, had the leader collared and drew clear of the field down the stretch to capture the night's featured event.

John Butenschoen trains the 4-year-old gelded son of Valley Victor – Express Chip for William Wiswell and Jean Goehlen.

Aruba Vacation (Fern Paquet Jr.) couldn't find room until deep in the stretch to get up for second, while A Gentleman (Phil Fluet) was third.

Jim Taggart Jr. posted a driving triple on the night's 10-race card, while Fern Paquet Jr. made his way to the winner's circle on two occasions.

Jim Meittinis and Fern Paquet Jr. are tied in the driver's standings for wins through four racing cards in 2012 with six wins each.

Tioga Downs continues live racing on Sunday afternoon (May 13) at 1:30 pm with a 12-race card.

For more information on Tioga Downs please visit us online at www.tiogadowns.com.

Miss Versatility Series Kicks Off At Mohawk

The first leg of the popular Miss Versatility series for trotting mares is scheduled for Sunday, May 20.

The series will make its first appearance north of the border, one of several adjustments in the format for the upcoming season.

The number of preliminary legs has been increased from three to four, with Mohawk Racetrack hosting the first two with the second leg on Sunday, July 1st.

The Meadowlands hosts leg three on Friday, August 17 and the last leg will be at Tioga Downs on Sunday, August 26.

The Delaware County Fair will again host the final on Little Brown Jug Day, Thursday, September 20.

The connections of those mares racing in the final will receive a hospitality package including tent access, courtesy of the LBJ.

The purse for each leg has been increased from $25,000 to $40,000 ($30,000 div) and the final will be well in excess of $100,000 this season.

The list of nominees and race conditions may be found here.

The draw for the May 20 card is on Wednesday, May 16.

Further draw info is available by following this link or calling the Mohawk Race Office at (905) 854-7805.

The declaration fee in the amount of $2,000 in US funds should be made payable to Mohawk Racetrack.

The declaration fee is required only once, regardless of the number of legs raced in.

There is no further entry fee due for the final.

Mares must start in a minimum of two legs to be eligible to race in the final.

NYSS prep races highlight Friday night card at Tioga

A duo of NYSS prep races highlighted Tioga Downs' Friday night, 12-race card, with Jamie Sue posting the fastest time of the night.

Jim Meittinis sent Jamie Sue to the front after the field went by the opening quarter in a soft 28.4.

The duo then cut through fractions of 58 and 1:27 before heavy pressure was applied by the first-over Marinade Hanover (Sam Schillaci).

Meittinis had to ask Jamie Sue for all she had down the stretch to fight back and find the wire first in 1:54.2.

Mark Ford trains the 3-year-old daughter of Art Major – Road To Pandalay for Robert Di Nozzi of Ossining, NY.

Brownsville Bomber (Fern Paquet Jr.) was victorious in 1:55.4 in the second division of the NYSS preps on Friday night for trainer Ed Hart.

Fern Paquet, Jr. posted a driving triple on the night's 12-race card, while Jim Meittinis and Jim Marohn Jr. each collected two driving victories.

Tioga Downs continues live racing on Saturday night (May 12) at 6:50 pm with a 10-race card.

For more information on Tioga Downs please visit us online at www.tiogadowns.com.

“Inside Harness Racing" TV show returns for third season

Harness racing fans, both new and old, will once again have a TV outlet for their favorite sport.

"Inside Harness Racing," a weekly, half-hour television show, returns for its third season. The first episode airs today (Wednesday) at 6:00 PM on Time Warner Cable Sports throughout Upstate New York. For the second year in a row, the show will also be broadcast on HPI TV in Canada. Viewers can also watch every episode online at the Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/tiogadowns).

"We're very excited to once again offer fans a television outlet for the great racing, great stories and great characters at Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs," said the show's executive producer and host, Justin Horowitz. "TV is one of the best outlets to promote our game and we're grateful to our partners at Time Warner Cable Sports for once again giving us a prime outlet."

Each week, the show will not only cover the major races at Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs with replays and interviews, but also will go beyond the races with special features to introduce viewers to the personalities and horses behind the scenes.

Fan education will also be a major focus with a regular segment called "Harness Racing University" that will teach new fans and horseplayers about the wagering side of the sport.

A story that aired on "Inside Harness Racing" was awarded an honorable mention in the 2011 John Hervey Awards for excellence in harness racing broadcasting.

The debut episode can be viewed below

Cowgirl Hall sets national season's record in NYSS prep at Tioga Downs

Tioga Downs continued with its second day of live racing action on Sunday afternoon.

Highlighting the 13-race card were two divisions of NYSS prep races for 3-year-old trotting fillies.

In the second division, Cowgirl Hall and Gates Brunet, showed that they are ready for the sire stakes which are just around the corner.

Leaving from post position number five, Brunet was insistent on having control of the fractions and was used twice to finally gain control at the half in 56.3.

From there, Cowgirl Hall did everything she was asked trotting away impressively from the field in a new lifetime mark, and a current national season's record for a five-eighths mile track of 1:55.1.

The 3-year-old daughter of Cash Hall – Centerfold Hall is owned by Gewertz, Rosenthall, Brunet, and Brunet and she is trained by Gates Brunet.

In the first division, Miss Connor stayed perfect in her young racing career by posting her second win in as many outings for trainer Chris Ryder in 1:58.2.

Jim Morrill Jr. posted a driving triple on the afternoon's card, while Jim Meittinis and Sean Bier each scored doubles.

Tioga Downs continues live racing on Friday night (May 11) at 6:50 PM.

For more information on Tioga Downs please visit us online at www.tiogadowns.com.

Tioga opens live racing to packed house on Saturday night

Tioga Downs kicked off its opening race card for the 2012 race season on Saturday evening in front of more than 11,700 patrons in the Southern Tier.

Live racing began at 5:00 PM this year to capture more fans for live racing by drawing off of the early Derby crowd during the day, and the results were a huge success.

"Today at Tioga was probably the largest crowd in years at a harness track in New York State," said Chairman of American Racing and Entertainment, Jeff Gural, during the opening day festivities.

Highlighting the 10-race card at Tioga were three New York bred prep races in preparation for New York Sire Stakes just around the corner.

Two divisions for 3-year-old colt trotters led the way, but Coraggioso stole the show by posting a powerful front end performance in 1:55.3.

The mile demolished his previous lifetime best by nearly three full seconds, and sent the message throughout New York that the homebred son of Credit Winner – Electra Hall for Joe Spadaro and Tom Durkin is ready for action.

Phil Fluet trains and drives Coraggioso who sports a record of five wins, two seconds, and a third in 10 lifetime starts.

Flyhawk Jester (Howard Parker) took home the other division for sophomore trotters in 1:56.2, while Lewayne Miller and My Boogie Shoes scored in the lone division for 3-year-old pacers in 1:53.4.

"All of us at Tioga Downs would like to thank the community for showing their continued support to harness racing in the Southern Tier by once again flocking to opening day for racing, and look forward to another great year at Tioga Downs," said Jason M. Settlemoir, VP of Racing and Simulcast.

Tioga Downs continues live racing action on Sunday afternoon (May 6) at 1:30 PM.

For more information on Tioga Downs please visit us online at www.tiogadowns.com.

Kentucky Derby Analysis by America's Handicapper Toby Callet

#4 - UNION RAGS heads into the biggest test of his career moving in the right direction. Homebred son of DIXIE UNION not only raced against the bias in The Florida Derby, but also lost a shoe on two separate occasions that day. He's trained like a "wild beast" since arriving in the Bluegrass State and appears ready to give these guys a good old-fashioned beating! #3 - TAKE CHARGE INDY had the best of it when defeating the top choice in their most recent. He exits the right prep and should outrun his odds. #15 - GEMOLOGIST is two for two under the "Twin Spires." The Longshot is #16 - EL PADRINO.


Suggested Wagering Strategy:

Exacta/Trifecta/Superfecta Key: 4/3-15-16.

Exacta Part-Wheel: 3-15-16/4.

Exacta/Trifecta/Superfecta Box: 3-4-15-16.

Trifecta Wheel: 4/3-15-16/All and 4/All/3-15-16.

Toby Callet, a professional horseplayer himself for nearly 40 years, provides Toby's Key Plays and Horses To Watch. He's a nationally recognized public handicapper as well. Four-time panelist at The 2007 Horseplayers' Expo at the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas, Callet has been involved in many aspects of thoroughbred handicapping. Two-year-old Pedigree Analyst at Calder Casino and Race Course (calderracecourse.com) since 1997, his Key Plays focus primarily on maiden races and turf events. For more information about Toby Callet, his work, and the venues he covers, please visit tobycallet.com or americashandicapper.net or email him at flhcp@bellsouth.net.

Low Takeout Returns to Tioga Downs in 2012

Horseplayers will once again be treated to some of the lowest takeout rates in all of harness racing when Tioga Downs opens its seventh season of live racing tomorrow (Saturday).

For the third year in a row, Tioga Downs will offer low takeout rates of 15% on Win/Place/Show wagers; 17% on Exactas/Daily Doubles; and 21% on all other exotic wagers.

"We’d like to thank the Southern Tier Harness Horsemen's Association for their continued cooperation with our low takeout," said Jason M. Settlemoir, Vice President of Racing and Simulcast. "We believe our low takeout rates and competitive racing continues to make the Tioga Downs signals one of the best bets in harness racing."