Thursday, January 20, 2011

Tioga Downs to Welcome Rock Legends Jefferson Starship on March 26




Tioga Downs Casino is proud to host rock legends Jefferson Starship for two concerts in one night on Saturday, March 26th.

The first show is at 7:00pm with the second show at 9:00pm.

Tickets are $15 and are available at the Tioga Downs Players Club or online at Ticketmaster by clicking here. http://bit.ly/elTgx1

Jefferson Starship was founded in 1974 by Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Paul Kantner.

Jefferson Starship says it has spent 37 years as rock music's premier "political science fiction" themed band.

The newest member of Jefferson Starship is Cathy Richardson, who anchors the role made famous by Grace Slick.

She was nominated for a GRAMMY Award and portrayed Janis Joplin in the original Off Broadway cast of the hit show "Love Janis."

For more information, visit www.tiogadowns.com

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

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.

Jeffrey Gural Will be Special Guest on Meadowlands Racetrack's special "In The Sulky" program



Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs principle owner, Jeff Gural, who is negotiating the possible lease of the Meadowlands Racetrack in New Jersey, is the featured guest on a special edition of "In The Sulky" on Friday, Jan. 21, at Meadowlands Racetrack.

Fans can e-mail questions for Gural to answer on-air to racing@thebigm.com.

The broadcast begins at 6:30 p.m. on the Paddock Level television set.

Watch it live on-track or online at www.MeadowlandsRacetrack.com.

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Show at Tioga Downs offers tribute to Garth Brooks


Tioga Downs Casino is proud to present a Tribute to Garth Brooks Starring the Greg Allan Band in two shows on January 15th. Show times are at 7pm and 9pm. Tickets are $10 and are available at the Tioga Downs Players Club or online at Ticketmaster.

This article about the Greg Allan Band appeared in the Elmira Star-Gazette:


Greg Allan was pretty pleased with how his music career was going. He was writing songs, did some recording in Nashville and landed a few gigs as a solo artist. He even opened shows for some national acts, including Lonestar and Gretchen Wilson.

But Stuart Green had other ideas. Green, a concert promoter and president of Magic City Productions, saw how the audiences responded to Allan's occasional covers of Garth Brooks songs and thought he had found the perfect niche for the Norwich resident.

"He kept trying to talk me into doing a (Brooks) tribute act," Allan said. "This went on for a couple of years."

Green, Allan slowly realized, was on to something. Tribute acts are increasingly popular, Allan said, especially with venues such as casinos, which have lots of dates to fill and need acts that draw solid audiences.

Most of Brooks' fans have never had a chance to see him in concert, Allan said, but tribute shows give them a chance to enjoy the music in a live atmosphere.

Brooks' country crossover songs made him a sensation in the late 1980s and '90s, with hits such as "Friends in Low Places," "The Dance" and "The Thunder Rolls" placing high on the country and pop charts. After selling more than 100 million records, Brooks largely retired from touring in 2001.

"Even when he was touring, his concerts would sell out so fast you'd never get a ticket," Allan said.

So, with Green's encouragement, Allan agreed to put together a Brooks tribute show.

"He showed me there was a need for it, so we decided to get it going," Allan said. "It took us some time to get the right musicians and get the band set. We've only been practicing together since August."

And they've only played one show together, a concert of Brooks' music at Mount Airy Casino in the Poconos. The show was well- received, Allan said, and has them eager for more. They'll perform at Tioga Downs Casino in Nichols on Saturday and at Turning Stone Casino in Verona on Feb. 26.

"It's working out really well," Allan said. "We're excited about it."

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Lou Haskell joins Tioga Downs Race Office



Tioga Downs is proud to announce that Lou Haskell will be joining the race office as Assistant Race Secretary during the 2011 race season.

Haskell was born and raised in Saratoga Springs, New York and grew up in the business of horse racing since he was a toddler.

He purchased his first horse at the age of 17 and has been an active owner in the harness racing business his entire life.

Haskell graduated from SUNY Plattsburgh with a degree in Marketing and up until four years ago had been a self-employed entrepreneur his entire life.

Lou graduated from the USTA judges school at the top of his class just a few years ago, and for the past two years has served as an Associate Judge in Kentucky at The Red Mile.

“I made a decision a few years back that I really wanted to pursue a career on the management side of harness racing and now I am getting that opportunity," said Haskell. "I am excited to be joining the team at Tioga to work with some of the younger guys in the industry and to work for a company that cares about the future of harness racing."

“We are fortunate to have a guy like Lou joining us at Tioga Downs this year," said Jason M. Settlemoir, VP of Racing and Simulcast. "He will certainly be an asset to our race office and all of us are looking forward to working with him."

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Reserve Space Now in the USHWA Night of Champions Banquet Journal


A note from Jason Settlemoir:

It’s that time of year again to congratulate those that made 2010 a great year in harness racing, please let me know if you would like an ad in the USHWA Souvenir Journal? Please just e-mail me at jasonlbj01@aol.com

For those wishing to congratulate the 2010 honorees, there’s no better place to do so than in the USHWA Banquet Journal! Deadline to reserve space is February 1, 2011 (ads requiring typesetting) or February 7, 2011 (camera ready).

Deadlines:
Ads requiring typesetting~February 1, 2011

Digital Ads (camera ready)~February 7, 2011

There will be over 500 copies of the USHWA National Journal distributed at the Night Of Champions Awards banquet in Ft. Lauderdale on February 27, 2011. We appreciate your support in the U.S.Harness Writer’s Association, which continues to be the strongest active voice in harness racing!



Ad Sizes & Prices*

Ad Size Color Dimensions Cost

Back Cover 4-Color 8 & 1/2”wide x 11” deep $1,200

Inside Front Cover 4-Color 8 & 1/2”wide x 11” deep $1,200

Inside Back Cover 4-Color 8 & 1/2”wide x 11” deep $1,200

Page One 4-Color 7 & 1/2”wide x 10” deep $1,000

Full Page 4-Color 7 & 1/2”wide x 10” deep $700

Full Page Black & White 7 & 1/2”wide x 10” deep $400

Half Page 4-Color 7 & 1/2” wide x 5” deep $350

Half Page Black & White 7 & 1/2” wide x 5” deep $250

Quarter Page Black & White 3 & 3/4” wide x 5” deep $150

*All prices include production & no agency commissions paid. Digital, camera-ready ads must be provided as PDFs, preferably via e-mail or CD: NO FILM WILL BE ACCEPTED. Ads will be created at no additional charge.

E-mail all ads to Trotrink@aol.com or mail to: Kim Rinker, 12A-102 Kingery Quarter, Willowbrook, IL. 60527

*NOTE: Contributions to USHWA are not deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.

Donations may be deducted as business expenses, and the donor is encouraged to check with their tax advisor


Advertising Order Form

Name________________________________________________________________________________

Company (if applicable)_________________________________________________________________________

Address_____________________________________________________________________________

City___________________________________________State________________Zip_____________

Phone_______________________________________Fax_____________________________________

Other Phone__________________________________Email____________________________________

Ad Size (circle one) Full Half Quarter Ad Color (circle one) 4-Color Black & White

Ad Type (circle one) Digital Camera Ready Requires Typesetting* Repeat (from last year)

I have enclosed a check for this amount:________________________________________

*Please write your ad on the back of this form or e-mail information to Jason Settlemoir to forward onto Kim Rinker.

For advertising information contact: Jason M. Settlemoir at 607-699-7588 or e-mail jasonlbj01@aol.com

Make checks payable to USHWA and mail this form & check to Kimberly Rinker, 12A-102 Kingery Quarter, Willowbrook, Illinois 60527

_____________________________________________________________________________________

On Sunday, February 27, 2011, the United States Harness Writers Association will host our 64th annual National Awards Dinner. Highlights include the presentation of the Dan Patch Awards, which go to the 2010 Harness Horses of the Year and awards honoring the leading men and women in our sport for the 2010 race season.

This will be, and is, the biggest social night in all of Standardbred racing! Come to sunny and warm south Florida and be a celebrity as USHWA gives you the “Red Carpet” treatment!

This year, the Dan Patch Awards dinner is being held at the Ft. Lauderdale Marriott North Grand Ballroom in Ft. Lauderdale, FL~ just one mile from the Isle Pompano Park. Tickets are now on sale at a cost of $100 each. Tables of ten are available for $1,000, and seating is limited to the first 400 people who purchase tickets, so please order your tickets now. Ticket order deadline is February 11, 2011.

The cocktail party begins at 6:00 pm and the USHWA awards dinner program starts promptly at 7:30 pm. In addition, a Silent Auction benefiting the Harness Horse Youth Foundation will be held, along with a Live Auction featuring two rare pieces of harness racing art and a special Grand Prize raffle drawing!

As a special incentive for those wishing to gamble, the Isle Pompano Park is offering their IsleOne Player Card to everyone purchasing a dinner ticket. Your card offers $10 in free slot play plus a $5 matching pari-mutuel bet. When you send in your ticket order form and payment, also send your name, address, phone number and birth date to Steven Wolf at stevejw@bellsouth.net and you will be registered for your Player Reward Card, which you will receive at the awards dinner.

Start making your plans now to attend the USHWA awards dinner and help us honor both the equine and human stars of the 2010 racing season!

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Make your reservations now for Dan Patch Awards Dinner



Tickets are selling fast for the 64th annual United States Harness Writers Association Dan Patch Awards Dinner for the top trotters and pacers of 2010 and the awards honoring the leading men and women in the sport on Sunday, February 27.

This will be, and is, the biggest social night in all of Standardbred racing and there are only 400 tickets available. Once they are sold out there will be none available.

This year, the USHWA Awards dinner is being held at the Ft. Lauderdale Marriott North Grand Ballroom in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. -- just one mile from the Isle Pompano Park. Tickets are on sale at a cost of $100 each. Tables of ten are available for $1,000, and seating is limited so please order your tickets now. Ticket order deadline is February 11.

The cocktail party begins at 6 p.m. and the USHWA awards dinner program starts promptly at 7:30 p.m. In addition, a Silent Auction benefiting the Harness Horse Youth Foundation will be held, along with a Live Auction featuring two rare pieces of harness racing art and a special Grand Prize raffle drawing!

As the host hotel, the Ft. Lauderdale Marriott North Hotel has a limited number of rooms available at a special rate for USHWA guests of $99 and $129 per night plus 11 percent tax.

Ft. Lauderdale Marriott North Hotel: Please e-mail or call directly to Maria Vigil at maria.vigil@marriottnorth.com or 954.334.9278 or e-mail Earnestine Cooper at earnestine.cooper@tpgcompanies.com to make reservations. You must mention that you are seeking the US Harness Writers Association discount! Click here for the website for the hotel.

Other hotels and rental resorts in the area:
www.beachcomberresort.com
www.sandsharbor.com
www.starwoodhotels.com/westin/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=1016
www.residenceinnonthebeach.com
www.4rentbythebeach.com
www.wyndhampalmaire.com

For car rental please contact Gold Coast Car Rental at 800-421-8752 and ask for Carol…tell them you are coming down for the U.S. Harness Writers Association Dinner. They have compact cars for $299 a week plus tax and will pick you up at the airport and take you back after you drop off the car. They also have daily rates but you need to call ASAP. Their website is www.goldcoastcarrental.net.

For those wishing to congratulate the 2010 honorees, there’s no better place to do so than in the USHWA Banquet Journal! Deadline to reserve space is February 1 (ads requiring typesetting) or February 7 (camera ready). For an ad form & rates, go to www.ushwa.org or contact Kim Rinker at 708.557.2790 or e-mail Trotrink@aol.com.

For any additional information or ticket order forms please contact Steven Wolf at stevejw@bellsouth.net or call 954.654.3757.

Tioga Downs Shows Increase in Handle in 2010



Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs wrapped up 2010 with some promising handle figures despite the current industry trends. Tioga showed increases in both live and export handle during its 2010 race meet, live handle was up for the year by nearly 4%, while the export numbers jumped by more than an 8% increase.

The import numbers at Tioga stayed about the same compared to 2009 despite Tioga closing its simulcast operations on Monday and Tuesdays since November.

Tioga Downs also showed strong gains in VGM revenue as 2010 was up over 2009 by 7%.

Vernon Downs rounded out 2010 with almost an identical posting of their on track handle from 2009, however the export number for the 2010 race season was down 9.5% over 2009.

On the import side at Vernon Downs however, 2010 showed almost a 2% increase from 2009 and was the highest import number in the past five years since American Racing and Entertainment took over Vernon Downs.

However, the VGM revenue at Vernon Downs posted a strong year and with all the numbers in has increased from 2009 by more than 10%.

“While obviously the significant increases in our VGM revenue will result in more money for purses next year, the fact that our racing revenues were also stable or slightly better than 2009 is encouraging as well,” said Jeff Gural, Chairman of American Racing and Entertainment.

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