Contractual agreement reached between STHHA and Tioga Downs

The Southern Tier Harness Horsemen’s Association and Tioga Downs have agreed to a new five-year agreement that begins in 2011.

In the new contract, the STHHA has increased its number of live race days at Tioga Downs from 57 to 61 days per year.

The contract also states that as long as the horse supply is sufficient, Tioga Downs will have 12 races on Fridays and Saturdays and 13 races on Sundays except nights fireworks have been scheduled.

Also in the new contract, Tioga Downs will increase its administration payment to the STHHA from 3.5% to 4%.

Written into the contract is $25,000 from the STHHA that is to be matched by Tioga Downs for charities and promotional activities each year for the duration of the contract.

Tioga Downs will open the backstretch on April 1st and the barn area and racetrack will remain open through September 30th as agreed upon in the five-year deal.

“We are happy that we were able to work with management to get more races and a few more race dates at Tioga for our horsemen," said Guy Howard, President of the STHHA. "We figure that with going the extra race days and races that we will be able to have about 80 to 90 more races than we had in 2010.”

“It is nice to work with the STHHA because they are realistic in their wishes, both sides came to the table and hammered out a five-year deal that is good for both the horsemen and management,” said Jason M. Settlemoir, VP of Racing and Simulcast.