Tuesday, September 25, 2012

TIOGA DOWNS CONCLUDES SEASON WITH INCREASES IN HANDLE



Tioga Downs saw an increase in live wagering handle and export handle during its recently concluded live racing season.

The live wagering handle (money wagered on-track on live races) increased by 2.5 percent while the export handle (money wagered on live races at off-track facilities) increased by 3 percent.

"We are very pleased with these positive business results and believe they reflect our continued commitment to a high quality live racing product," said Jason M. Settlemoir, Vice President of Racing and Simulcast. "We believe our aggressive marketing and promotion has been well received by our on-track guests and our lucrative stakes schedule and competitive overnight racing positions us well in the simulcast market."

The seventh season of live racing at Tioga Downs ended on a high note with more than 4,000 fans in attendance on Closing Night.

One of those fans, Pennie Merrick of nearby Chenango Forks, drove off in a 2012 Toyota Yaris as the grand prize winner of the season long Horseplay Car Giveaway. The promotion raised more than $7,000 for local charities.

"Justin Horowitz took over our marketing and promotions department in the middle of the season and far exceeded my expectations," said Settlemoir. "It's a very demanding position under any circumstances and he contributed to our successful 2012 racing season."

Another highlight during the final stretch of the season included Dynamic Youth's thrilling photo finish victory in the Cane Pace, opening leg of Pacing's Triple Crown. The historic race was held at Tioga Downs for the first time.

Jimmy Marohn, Jr. was the meet's leading driver for the second time while the nation's leading trainer, Ron Burke, topped the Tioga Downs trainer's standings for the first time.

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

TOP 10 RACES OF THE YEAR ON SEASON FINALE OF ‘INSIDE HARNESS RACING"



The racing season came to a close over the weekend at Tioga Downs with a large, enthusiastic crowd and surprise appearances by top horses Check Me Out and Hypnotic Blue Chip.

"Inside Harness Racing" recaps those races and counts down the top 10 races of the year at Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs on the season finale episode. The show airs today (Wednesday) at 6:00 PM and again at 10:30 PM on Time Warner Cable Sports throughout Upstate New York. It'll also be replayed tomorrow (Thursday) at 10:00 PM. Viewers can also watch this episode online at the Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/tiogadowns).

Host Justin Horowitz also sits down with Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs Vice President of Racing Jason Settlemoir to discuss the season's business figures and thoughts on the current state of the harness racing industry.

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Tioga Downs closes out its 2012 race season



Tioga Downs wrapped up its final day of live racing for the 2012 racing season on Saturday night in Nichols, NY. As they have in years past, the harness racing fans of the Southern Tier showed their support for Tioga Downs and a crowd of more than 4,000 came out for closing night.

Hypnotic Blue Chip (inside) gets the win
In the $18,000 Open handicap pace, Hypnotic Blue Chip and Jim Meittinis took control of the field by an opening quarter in 26.2. Meittinis got a 28.4 second quarter breather by a half in 55.1 as A J Corbellie and Lewayne Miller began their first over journey from fourth. When the field went by three quarters in 1:22.4 Meittinis asked Hypnotic for more as A J Corbelli was right at his throat heading into the stretch. Halfway through the lane it looked as if A J Corbelli was going to get the best of Hypnotic Blue Chip, but the 6-year-old stallion fought back gamely on the wire to hold off A J Corbelli in 1:50.4. 

Kevin McDermott trains the 6-year-old son of Art Major – A Traceofmagic who captured his fifth victory of the season, and second consecutive win for owner Francis Azur, A J Corbelli was a game second for Lewayne Miller, while Stonebridge Tonic (Jim Marohn Jr.) used a pocket trip to finish third. Hypnotic Blue Chip returned $3.10 for a two dollar win payoff as the public’s choice.

In the $18,000 fillies and mares open handicap pace, Southwind Trini (Joe Pavia Jr.) skimmed the pylons to find room late in the stretch to win in 1:53. Pavia kept Southwind Trini off the early pace through fractions of 27.1, 56.4, and 1:24.4 as All About Kisses (Mike Simons) were on the front end. Around the final turn, Fern Paquet Jr. pulled Do Me Honor out of the two hole to challenge the leader which left a lane up the inside with All About Kisses drifting off the rail.

Paquet could not get by the leader in deep stretch as Simons nipped him on the wire for Southwind Trini's seventh win of the year. Rob Harmon trains the 4-year-old daughter of Rocknroll Hanover – Tattoo Hanover for Karma Racing Inc. of Florida. Do Me Honor got up for second, while All About Kisses hung tough for third.
Jimmy Marohn, Jr. wins Driver of the Year


Jimmy Marohn Jr. capped off the 2012 race season at Tioga Downs as the leading driver, while Ron Burke held off Jamie Paquet by two wins as 2012 leading trainer. Ron Burke also captured pacer of the year honors with Eastend Eddie while Spice It Up Lindy was named 2012 trotter of the year at Tioga Downs. 

Ron Burke's second trainer Keith Kamann accepted the awards for trainer Ron Burke at Tioga Downs.  
Keith Kamann (left) accepts Trainer of the Year award for Ron Burke

Tioga Downs would like to thank all of its fans and horsemen who helped make the 2012 racing season at Tioga Downs a success. For more information on Tioga Downs please visit us on our website at www.tiogadowns.com

Friday, September 14, 2012

Check Me Out takes down older males in Tioga Downs open trot


Check Me Out sets a new track record in win

Check Me Out captured the $18,000 open trot over a track listed good, against older male trotters, and did it with post position nine on Friday night at Tioga Downs.

Tim Tetrick shuffled the filly out of the gate and tucked in fourth as John Campbell and Opening Night led a field of nine through an opening quarter in 27.

The field raced in straight alignment by a half in 55.2, before Corey Braden pulled Tac's Delight from third down the backside giving Check Me Out live cover by three quarters in 1:24.2. Around the final turn, Tetrick had plenty of trot left and tipped Check Me Out three high off of the tiring Tac's Delight to ease by the leaders in the stretch and win by half a length in 1:54.

The mile established a new track record for 3-year-old trotting fillies erasing the previous mark held by Cant Have My Moni of 1:54.2 from earlier this year.

Scorpion Moon (Jim Morrill Jr.) shook loose late to get second, while Opening Night (John Campbell) hung on for third.

Check Me Out scored for the tenth time in 12 seasonal starts for trainer Ray Schnittker who owns the 3-year-old daughter of Donato Hanover – Illusion Bi in partnership with Charles Iannazzo.

You Want Me sets a new track record
Three divisions of NYSS for 2-year-old trotting fillies also highlighted the rain soaked Friday night card with You Want Me turning in an impressive track record performance. Tim Tetrick did the driving for trainer Paul Kelley as the 2-year-old daughter of Credit Winner – Annette Hanover broke Check Me Out's track record from last year with a 1:55.2 performance.

It was the fourth win in eight career outings for You Want Me, who increased her seasonal earnings to more than $108,000 for the partnership of Kelley Racing Stable and William Weaver III.

Also capturing divisions of the NYSS on Friday night were: Barn Babe – 1:58 (John Cummings Jr.) and Lola De Vie – 2:00.4 (Jim Morrill Jr.).

Tioga Downs wraps up its 2012 racing season on Saturday, September 15 with a post time of 6:00 pm, and fireworks immediately following live racing. For more information on Tioga Downs please visit us on our website at www.tiogadowns.com

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Check Me Out and NYSS events highlight Tioga Downs Friday night card



World Champion Check Me Out will come to Tioga Downs on Friday night along with three divisions of the NYSS for 2-year-old filly trotters with a post time of 6:50 pm.

Fresh off of her convincing 1:51.3 world record performance turned in at Pocono Downs in the PASS final, Check Me Out will make her first start against aged trotters in Friday night's $18,000 Open Trot.

Check Me Out winning the Zweig Filly at Vernon Downs
Nine horses entered and the luck of the draw did not fare so well for Check Me Out, as she has drawn post position number nine in Friday night's eighth event.

Check Me Out's regular pilot, Tim Tetrick, will be on hand to do the driving for trainer and co-owner Ray Schnittker.

The 3-year-old daughter of Donato Hanover- Illusion Bi has won nine of 11 starts this year with earnings of more than $834,000 in 2012, and more than $1.7 million in lifetime earnings.

She has made one start at Tioga Downs in her racing career, that coming in the Tompkins-Geers last July where she set the track mark for 2-year-old filly trotters of 1:56, a mark which still stands today.

The track mark for 3-year-old filly trotters was set earlier this summer by Cant Have My Moni and Tim Tetrick of 1:54.2, and as Check Me Out's past performance lines shows that mark is in serious jeopardy should she win.

Also highlighting the Friday night card will be three divisions of NYSS for 2-year-old filly trotters.

Lady Riviera leads the first division for $38,043 in race number two against five other rivals. The 2-year-old daughter of Sand Vic – La Riviera Lindy has won four of seven this year with two seconds good for earnings of more than $92,000 for trainer, owner, breeder – Richard Banca.

The three divisions of the NYSS for 2-year-old filly trotters have been set for races two, six, and 10 on the night's 12-race card.

Tioga Downs wraps up its 2012 racing season this weekend with live racing on Friday, September 14 and Saturday, September 15. Friday's post time is set for 6:50 pm, while Saturday night begins racing at 6:00 pm.

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

Sunday, September 9, 2012

In A Craze upsets in the Tioga Saturday night feature



In A Craze (Jim Meittinis) avoided the hot contested pace up front early as Fameous Western (Lewayne Miller) parked out the race favorite Winbak Dimensions (Jim Marohn Jr.). The duo battled through fractions of 26.2 and 54.2 before the backfield began swooping in on the leaders.

Mike Simons sent Cheyenne Knight three wide down the backside to gain control of the field by three quarters in 1:22.3 but was towing In A Craze with him during every step. Down the stretch Meittinis angled In A Craze off of Simons helmet and paced by the leader in deep stretch to win in 1:52.2.

It was the sixth win in 30 seasonal starts for the 6-year-old son of Astreos – U Drive Me Crazy for trainer Rob Harmon. The mile equaled the lifetime mark set earlier this year at Tioga Downs and with the win increased his seasonal earnings to more than $51,000.

Cheyenne Knight (Mike Simons) hung on for second, while Diamond Star (Corey Braden) shook loose late for third.

Tioga Downs continues live racing on Friday, September 14th with a post time of 6:50 pm, for more information on Tioga Downs please visit us on our website at www.tiogadowns.com

Saturday, September 8, 2012

All Spirit rebounds in Tioga Downs Friday feature



All Spirit (Jimmy Marohn Jr.) rebounded on Friday night to capture the featured $16,500 Fillies and Mares Open Pace at Tioga Downs coming off of a disappointing ninth place finish three weeks ago.

Leaving from post position number one, Marohn eased All Spirit away in fourth as High Speed Life (Roman Lopez) and Runaway Tray (Fern Paquet Jr.) were having an early disagreement through fractions of 26.1.

As the field headed towards the half Roman Lopez kept Runaway Tray parked out through the half mile mark of the race in 53.4. When the field straightened up heading towards three quarters, Marohn sent All Spirit three wide down the backside and brushed to the front by three quarters in 1:21.4. Around the final turn Marohn kicked out the earplugs and paced away from the field to win for the eighth time this season in 1:51.4.

Forty Three (Phil Fluet) paced home late to be second, while For All We Know (Keith Kamann) finished third.

All Spirit returned $3.50 for a $2 win payoff as the post time favorite.

Judy Lanpher trains the 6-year-old daughter of Bettor's Delight – Spirit Of Ivy for Larry Lanpher of Winter Park, Florida. With the win, All Spirit increased her seasonal earnings to more than $100,000. 

Tioga Downs continues live racing on Saturday, September 8th with a post time of 6:50 pm, for more information on Tioga Downs please visit us on our website at www.tiogadowns.com.

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

“SILVA: ‘We’re leaning towards supplementing”

Dynamic Youth eligible to be supplemented to Jug after Cane Pace victory

NICHOLS, NY – After his upset win in the Cane Pace, Dynamic Youth is eligible to be supplemented to The Little Brown Jug for $45,000. Co-owner Jerry Silva told “Inside Harness Racing” that he’s leaning towards supplementing the gelding to the second jewel of Pacing’s Triple Crown.

See the rest of the reaction and highlights from Cane Pace Day at Tioga Downs on this week’s episode of “Inside Harness Racing.” The show airs today (Wednesday) at 6:00 PM and again at 10:30 PM on Time Warner Cable Sports throughout Upstate New York. It’ll also be replayed tomorrow (Thursday) at 10:00 PM. Viewers can also watch this episode online at the Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/tiogadowns).

Upsets were the theme on Cane Pace Day as Blackjack Princess, the longest shot in the field of six, stormed home late to win the Shady Daisy for driver Mark Macdonald and trainer Mark Ford.

Plus, millionaire filly, Win Missy B, highlights the New York Sire Stakes and hear her trainer’s thoughts on competing against super filly Check Me Out.

Viewers will also see the latest lesson from Harness Racing University.

Monday, September 3, 2012

Dynamic Youth upsets in the $322,716 Cane Pace Final



Although he went off at 2-5 in the wagering as part of an entry with A Rocknroll Dance, Dynamic Youth, posted an upset on Monday afternoon in the $322,716 Cane Pace Final at Tioga Downs. Leaving from post position number four in a field of nine, Dynamic Youth and George Brennan got away eighth as Time To Roll (Ron Pierce) led the Cane Pace field through a blistering 25.1 opening quarter. As the field headed by the stands and the fans for the first time Yannick Gingras angled A Rocknroll Dance to the outside from fifth but was used hard to get to the front clearing by the half in 53.
Dynamic Youth (near) just nails Pet Rock on the wire to win the Cane Pace

Down the backside and headed towards three quarters Bettor's Edge tried the first over bid with Pet Rock (Brian Sears) perfectly placed on his helmet second over. Brennan and Dynamic Youth also picked up a cover trip third over behind Pet Rock as they went three quarters in 1:20.3. Around the final turn Sears tipped Pet Rock three wide off cover and he responded pacing by A Rocknroll Dance on the lead but his biggest threat was still looming. Down the stretch Pet Rock and Dynamic Youth battled nose to nose with Dynamic Youth and George Brennan edging out Pet Rock to win by a nose in 1:48.4.

"I came into the race with really no game plan just hoping for a speed duel up front and pick up some of the pieces and we ended up with the biggest one. I never went to the rail with him just sort of floated out there and got Pet Rock in front of me and we just followed Sears' helmet from there," said winning driver George Brennan who posted his first Cane Pace victory.

The mile erased the previous track record for 3-year-old gelding pacers that Dynamic Youth established in July of 1:49.3. Aaron Lambert trains the 3-year-old son of Bettor's Delight – Always True for Silva, Tucci, and C & G Racing. The win was the fifth in 13 seasonal starts for Dynamic Youth who with the win increased his seasonal earnings to more than $396,000.

Pet Rock and Sears finished second, with Bettor's Edge finishing third. A Rocknroll Dance faded to fourth while elimination winner Heston Blue Chip (Tim Tetrick) was in trouble from the beginning of the race having to drag back to last out of the gate, but still finished fifth. Dynamic Youth returned $2.90 for the win, but was part of a Silva owned entry with #1A - A Rocknroll Dance.   

In the $100,000 Shady Daisy, an early battle by Persisten (David Miller) and Major Look (Jeff Gregory) through fractions of 25.4 and 53 resulted in another upset, this time from Blackjack Princess and Mark Macdonald.

Blackjack Princess upsets the Shady Daisy as the longest shot in the field
Miller took control of the field by the quarter as Gregory looked to move back to the front, but Miller would not release the heavy betting favorite. Major Look continued to grind it out finally clearing the leader down the backstretch and was still in command by three quarters in 1:21. Around the final turn the early leaders were tiring on the lead and Blackjack Princess (Mark Macdonald) took advantage with a powerful move four wide to capture the Shady Daisy in 1:51.1.

Mark Ford trains the 3-year-old daughter of Cam's Card Shark – Happy Doris for Robert Di Nozzi who posted the 21-1 upset. Bettor B Lucky (Jim Morrill Jr.) got up for second, JK Fine Art (Ron Pierce) was third, while Major Look (Jeff Gregory) faded to fourth. 

Tioga Downs continues live racing on Friday, September 7 with a post time of 6:50 pm, for more information on Tioga Downs please visit us on our website at www.tiogadowns.com

Sunday, September 2, 2012

Win Missy B scores in NYSS action on Sunday night at Tioga Downs



Win Missy B (Charlie Norris) made her way back to the winner's circle on Sunday night at Tioga Downs in a division of the NYSS for 3-year-old filly trotters.

Fresh off of her second place finish to World Champion Check Me Out in the Zweig at Vernon Downs, Win Missy B got right back to business in the NYSS.

Leaving from post position number one in a field of seven, Win Missy B, got away third and as the field headed towards the quarter quickly moved to the outside for the retake in 27.4. From there Norris guided Win Missy B through fractions of 56.3 and 1:24.4. Around the final turn it looked as though Win Missy B was coming back to the field as Kristins Victory (Steve Smith) were quickly gaining ground. Through the stretch Norris reached up and kept Win Missy B's mind on business and was able to hold off the late challenger in 1:54.4.

"She seemed to think that the race was over or something part way through the stretch there so I had to keep her mind on business and work on her a little bit," said winning trainer-driver Charlie Norris in the winner's circle.

"Every guy dreams of having a horse like this, she might not win all the time but she shows up and gives 100 percent every week. We will head to Yonkers next in the NYSS and then she will be in Lexington and the Breeders' Crown later this year."

Also capturing divisions of the NYSS on Sunday night were Fortunista – 1:55.4 (Mike Merton) and Whimzical Britt – 1:56.1 (Stephane Bouchard).  

Tioga Downs continues live racing on Monday, September 3 with a post time of 1:30 pm featuring the $322,716 Cane Pace Final, and the $100,000 Shady Daidy.

Tioga Downs caught up with trainer Jim Mullinix, trainer of the morning line favorite, A Rocknroll Dance, for an interview heading into tomorrow's Cane Pace Final and can be viewed by following this link. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XMebpivBnA&list=UU_zm7AZtzCioO1U5K0bDXZQ&index=1&feature=plcp

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

Southwind Trini upsets in Tioga's Saturday night feature



Southwind Trini and Jim Meittinis were dismissed by the betting public on Saturday night's first race at Tioga Downs, the $16,500 fillies and mares open handicap pace.

Oceans Motion (Chuck Connor Jr.) was made the overwhelming favorite and was assigned post position number six in a field of six. Connor quickly put Oceans Motion on the front through fractions of 26.4 and 55.4. As the field headed towards three quarters, Meittinis moved Southwind Trini to the outside and made a hard first over bid on the leader past the three quarter mile mark of the race in 1:23.2.

Around the final turn, Meittinis was able to get Southwind Trini to the front and hold off a late charge by For All We Know (Keith Kamann) to win in 1:52.1. It was the sixth win in 29 seasonal starts for the 4-year-old daughter of Rocknroll Hanover – Tattoo Hanover for trainer Rob Harmon.

Tioga Downs continues live racing on Sunday, September 2 with a post time of 6:50 pm, for more information on Tioga Downs please visit us on our website at www.tiogadowns.com