Tioga Downs set to begin the 2017 harness racing season

Action packed summer of racing, music and entertainment to entertain guests of all ages

Nichols, N.Y. – May 2, 2017 – As summer quickly approaches, Tioga Downs is pleased to announce another exciting season of live harness racing set to begin on Saturday, May 6, which has also been coined as Tioga’s Derby Day to help celebrate the Kentucky Derby, with a 5:00 p.m. post time for live harness racing at Tioga. The 2017 racing season will open southern style with an action-packed Derby Fest 10 including live entertainment, a Derby Hat contest, giveaways and a spectacular fireworks display following the night’s final race.

Promotions include free giveaways and the chance to win a $500 cash prize for the most lavish southern fashion as part of Tioga’s very own Derby Day Hat Contest from 2 – 4:30 p.m. Those wishing to show off their derby hat can go between those hours for the opportunity to win their chance at $1,500 in prize money.  Virtual Racing promotions will also be available from 1 – 4:00 p.m., Tioga Downs Players Club card members that earn 25 points playing their favorite slot machine are given the opportunity to participate in Virtual Racing. The popular $1,000 Derby Dream Bet also returns and gives two lucky winners a chance to wager $500 on a single horse in the Kentucky Derby, which has a 6:46 p.m. post time.

Guests can also enjoy a full evening of live harness racing at Tioga Downs, the new racing season begins with a 5 p.m. post time. Later that evening, visitors can win up to $1,000 cash in Derby Day Hot Seat drawings every hour from 8 p.m. until midnight on the gaming floor for Tioga Downs Player’s Club card members. The prize amount will start at $500 at 8 pm and go up every hour, culminating in a $1,000 prize at midnight.

Live music will entertain audiences beginning with The Yadas Yadas in the Sideshow Lounge from 1 – 4:00 p.m., followed by The Edward P. Maloney Memorial Pipe Band in the Trackside tent from 3:50 – 4:20 p.m., concluding the night with Virgil Cain from 9:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m. in Virgil’s Real BBQ as well as Splash from 9:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m. in the Sideshow Lounge. A one-of-kind fireworks spectacular is planned for all guests after the final race concludes.

Additional highlights of the 2017 racing season at Tioga Downs include the $175,000 Roll with Joe on August 20 with the $500,000 Empire Breeders Classic Finals as well as the trio of $175,000 stake races on August 27 featuring The Crawford Farms Trot, Joie De Vie Mare Trot and Artiscape Mare Pace. Also, returning to Tioga Downs this summer is camel and ostrich racing, a community favorite, on June 18 as well as the Fourth Annual Tioga Downs World Chicken Spiedie Eating Championship presented by Lupo’s.