Monday, June 13, 2016

They're Back! Camel and Ostrich racing returns to Tioga Downs

Special guest racers kick off Father's Day weekend events

Nichols, N.Y. - June 12, 2016 - Back by popular demand, camel and ostrich races are returning to Tioga Downs this year. The unlikely racers will take to the track June 17 and kick off a full Father's Day weekend of promotions and special events for dads and guests of all ages. Post time for the Friday night of racing is 6:30 pm.

It has been three years since the furry and feathered friends have stopped at Tioga Downs, but they have historically drawn large crowds. As in the past, there is no wagering on camel and ostrich races, which will take place between regularly scheduled harness racing that evening. One race will feature four camels competing to cross the finish line first, and three ostriches will vie for a separate title in their own race. The camels and ostriches that will participate in the exhibition come from Hedrick's Animal Farm in Kansas and travel all over the country performing at racetracks, fairs and other events.

The weekend of racing continues on Father's Day, Sunday, June 19 with a post time of 1:30 pm when the sport's fastest pacers come to town for the $180,000 Roll with Joe Open Pace. Fans will receive a collector's edition rocks glass (while supplies last). Dads can also celebrate their special day by entering two major contests. Top prizes up for grabs include a Massey Ferguson riding lawnmower courtesy of Clinton Tractor and a NY Yankees VIP trip, including a pair of tickets to a game and chauffeured transportation to and from Yankee Stadium.

This year marks the tenth anniversary celebration for Tioga Downs. The entertainment complex offers live harness racing, video lottery terminals, video poker and electronic table games. A variety of eateries are also part of the racino. Jeff Gural owns Tioga Downs in Nichols, NY and Vernon Downs in Vernon, NY. Tioga Downs was recently recommended by the New York State Gaming Facility Location Board for a full gaming license. In the last decade, Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs have created more than 700 family-sustaining jobs and donated millions to nonprofit organizations. For more information on Tioga Downs, please visit www.tiogadowns.com.

Thursday, June 9, 2016

Record Breaking Horse makes first ever Tioga Downs appearance


Wiggle It JiggleIt to participate in The Graduate stakes race


Nichols, N.Y. - June 9, 2016 - Harness reigning Racing’s Horse of the Year Wiggle It Jiggleit makes it’s Tioga Downs debut at the stakes race called The Graduate on June 12. Racing fans of all ages have the chance to see what is very likely the biggest star to come to Nichols to race when the horse takes the track, along with last year’s Hambletonian Champion Pinkman, with a post time of 1:30 pm Sunday afternoon.

Wiggle It JiggleIt has broken numerous records, including world records. He has earned over $2 million, leading all harness racing horses in 2015 purses in North America. Wiggle It JiggleIt received 95.5-percent total of the votes for Horse of the Year, making this the most for any winner since 1980 when Niatross was one vote shy of unanimous. The reigning U.S. horse of the year is trained by Clyde Francis for George Teague Jr. Inc and Teague Racing Partnership. George Teague’s son, Montrell Teague, is the driver of the horse. The horse recently came within one-fifth of a second of the world record for four-year-old male pacers and set an overall record at Harrah’s Philadelphia on May 29.

Hambletonian Champion Pinkman is also participating in the race Sunday at Tioga Downs against Wiggle It Jiggle It. Pinkman has received numerous honors, including 2015 Trotter of the Year, and counted the Hambletonian among his 11 wins during the 2015 season. The horse took home a little less than $2 million, leaving him a firm competitor for Wiggle It JiggleIt.

The racing will be apart of the Graduate Series at Tioga Downs Casino on June 12 with a post time of 1:30 pm. The race goes for about $75,000.

This year marks the tenth anniversary celebration for Tioga Downs. The entertainment complex offers live harness racing, video lottery terminals, video poker and electronic table games. A variety of eateries are also part of the racino. Jeff Gural own Tioga Downs in Nichols, NY and Vernon Downs in Vernon, NY. Tioga Downs was recently recommended by the New York State Gaming Facility Board for a full gaming license. In the last decade, Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs have created more than 700 family-sustaining jobs and donated millions to nonprofit organizations. For more information on Tioga Downs, please visit www.tiogadowns.com.