Monday, July 28, 2014

COUNTRY STAR KELLIE PICKLER TO PERFORM AT TIOGA DOWNS CASINO!

July 23, 2014

All Proceeds To Be Donated to the Southern Tier Veterans Support Group.

Tioga Downs Casino is proud to welcome country singer and American Idol alum Kellie Pickler to their stage on Friday, August 8th at 8pm, sponsored by Bully Hill Vineyards. Featuring such popular songs as “Red High Heels”, “I Wonder” and “Best Days of Your Life”, Kellie is an exciting addition to Tioga Downs’ annual Summer Concert Series! Tickets for the show are $15.

As a way of giving back to those who have so heroically served and protected us, all proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to the Southern Tier Veterans Support Group. In addition, Chairman of American Racing and Entertainment Jeff Gural will personally match the amount of every ticket sold, making the final donation $30 per ticket. “Once again, I look forward to our annual concert where all the ticket sales go to help our veterans here in the Southern Tier”, stated Mr. Gural.

Last year’s benefit concert for the Southern Tier Veterans Support Group, which featured Pam Tillis and Lorrie Morgan, was a resounding success, raising over $80,000. Tioga Downs hopes to top last year’s amount with a goal of raising $100,000, if not more.

Tickets are available at Ticketmaster and the Tioga Downs Gift Shop. This is an outdoor event. No refunds or exchanges due to weather related cancellations.

For more information, please go to www.tiogadowns.com or visit us on Facebook.

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Tioga Downs Celebrates NYS Education Department Certification of SUNY Broome Community College’s Associate Degree Program in Casino Management

July 23, 2014  


Jeff Gural &Tioga Downs supported creation of this degree program from early idea through application for certification, Tioga Downs Executives to teach courses
New York State’s Education Department recently announced the certification of a new degree program in Casino Management to be offered at SUNY Broome Community College.
A Southern Tier facility - under careful rules and regulations put forth by legislation twice passed, the voters of New York State through referendum, the New York State Gaming Commission, and the New York Gaming Facility Location Board – is eligible to receive a full casino license. Tioga Downs is an applicant for that license.
“New York State has made responsible economic development and job creation its highest priority, and the return of gaming dollars being spent out-of-state is an important aspect of the Southern Tier’s growth,” said Tioga Downs owner Jeff Gural. “SUNY Broome’s Casino Management program is an integral part of this effort – one the entire Tioga Downs family was very pleased to support.”
Tioga Downs Executives helped develop the SUNY program, participating in meetings over a two-year period, reviewing and adding to the curriculum, and aiding in course selection. Security, culinary, casino operations, marketing, equine, and HR departments all participated. Tioga Downs Executives will also be teaching courses.
The expansion of Tioga Downs to a full casino facility would require the education and training of new employees to manage table games and operations. New hospitality positions – in hotel, resort, restaurant, and spa facilities - would also be generated under the full gaming application submitted.
Tom Osiecki, Chief Operating Officer of Tioga Downs, stressed the importance of “pre-training and education” in staffing expanded operations: “While every casino and resort has their own programs for new employees, those coming to us with a degree in relevant management certainly will have a leg up. Tioga Downs’ application for a full casino license stresses how quickly it can be operational, with expanded contributions to our state and local economy. Making that happen depends on the education our employees receive.”
“SUNY Broome has been a pleasure to work with,” Jeff Gural concluded. “I was impressed by their enthusiasm, and commitment to preparing students for the opportunities provided by this exciting new economic development initiative.”
Tioga Downs Casino, Nichols, New York. You must be 18 years old to play video gaming machines. Please play responsibly. For more information, please contact us online at www.tiogadowns.com (1-888-WIN-TIOGA). 

Thursday, July 17, 2014

TIOGA DOWNS HOLDS WORLD CHICKEN SPIEDIE-EATING CHAMPIONSHIP

July 16, 2014

World Champion Joey Chestnut to Headline Event
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Tioga Downs Casino is excited to announce that the facility will be holding the first-ever World Chicken Spiedie-Eating Competition, featuring World Champion Joey Chestnut. The 10-minute, all-you-can-eat contest is presented by Lupo's and will take place on Saturday, July 26, at 7pm, trackside at Tioga Downs.

The chicken spiedie, which claims Endicott as its birthplace, is a sandwich comprised of grilled, marinated chicken cubes on a bun. The term "spiedie" comes from the Italian spiedo, meaning spit, or spiedini, referring to cubes of meat cooked on a skewer.

Sanctioned by Major League Eating, the contest will feature Major League Eaters from around the country. Many have just competed in the July Fourth Hot Dog Eating Championship in Coney Island, NY, which was won by Joey Chestnut for the eighth consecutive year.

"Introducing Joey Chestnut to the chicken spiedie is like giving a paintbrush to Picasso," said MLE Chairman George Shea. "We expect a monumental record that will fully honor the deep history of the chicken spiedie and its cultural significance in upstate New York."

In addition to World #1 ranked eater Joey "Jaws" Chestnut of San Jose, CA., a number of famous eaters will be present, including #10 Jeff "The Beastman" Butler of Cleveland, Ohio, #23 Ronnie "The Real American" Hartman of Ft. Stewart, Georgia, Marcos "The Monster" Owens, #16, "Buffalo" Jim Reeves, #21, Boston, NY, Eric "Badlands" Booker, #22, Selden, NY and #26 Crazy Legs Conti of New York City.


In addition to bragging rights, competitors will vie for a cash purse that totals $5,000. More information on Tioga Downs is available at www.tiogadowns.com.   For more details on chicken spiedies, visit www.spiedies.com. Information on Major League Eating can be found at www.ifoce.com.

Sunday, July 6, 2014

War Cry Hall holds sway in top Tioga trot


by James Witherite, Tioga Downs racing media

After controlling the terms throughout, War Cry Hall ($3.80) gave everything he had in the final hundred yards to prevail in Sunday (July 6) afternoon's $14,000 Miracle Mile 1 trot at Tioga Downs.

War Cry Hall holds sway late (Fred Brown photo)
The five-year-old gelded son of Cash Hall wasted no time achieving the lead, sprinting clear of Marion Mayflower (Aaron Byron) and maintaining a steady yet strong pace through a :56.3 half mile.  On the backstretch, In Your Room (Mike Simons) commenced a first-over rally, pushing War Cry Hall to his limit on the far turn.  Through the stretch, Howard Parker called upon War Cry Hall for every last ounce of energy, and the favorite did not disappoint, digging in to stave off not only the persistent In Your Room, but a belated stand-side charge from Stitch In Time (Tyler Buter), who rallied strongly to take second.

Jim Raymer trains War Cry Hall for the Harbor Racing Stable, LLC.

Live racing returns to Tioga on Monday (July 7), with the first of 11 races on the special weeknight card scheduled for 6:15 p.m. EDT.