by Dustin Ross, Regional Racing Operations Manager, Tioga Downs

Nichols, NY — Eleven 3-year-old pacing colts dropped in the entry box on Thursday morning at Tioga Downs for harness racing’s first jewel of the 2012 Pacing Triple Crown, the Cane Pace.

One $107,572 elimination race will take place on Sunday night (August 26) at Tioga Downs (post time 6:50 p.m.) with a field of nine after A Rocknroll Dance and Time To Roll accepted byes to the final. Pet Rock, who paid $35,000 to supplement to the Cane Pace, was offered a bye to the final but the connections opted to race in the elimination.

Two other supplemental entries were received in the Tioga Downs’ race office on Thursday morning from Heston Blue Chip and State Treasurer.

The field of nine for the elim includes Mybrothergeorge, Pet Rock, Dynamic Youth, I Fought Dalaw, Bettor’s Edge, Steelhead Hanover, Simply Business, Heston Blue Chip and State Treasurer. They will go to the post in race number nine on Sunday night at Tioga Downs.

The top seven finishers will join A Rocknroll Dance and Time To Roll in the $322,716 Cane Pace Final on Monday (September 3) at Tioga Downs (post time 1:30 p.m.).

Also highlighting the Sunday night racing card at Tioga Downs is a $40,000 leg of the Miss Versatility trotting series which drew a field of eight including Magic Wheel, Pembroke Heat Wave, Uffra Girl, Pantholops, Unefoisdansmavie, Cedar Dove, Action-Broadway and Beatgoeson Hanover.

Tioga Downs begins its three day weekend of live racing on Friday (August 24) with a post time of 6:50 p.m.

For more information on Tioga Downs visit www.tiogadowns.com.