by Justin Horowitz, Regional Racing Marketing Manager, Tioga Downs

Nichols, NY — The eyes of the harness racing world will be focused on Tioga Downs on Labor Day as North America’s top drivers compete for a $25,000 first prize in the final round of the seventh annual Tioga/Vernon All-Star Drivers’ Championship.

The 13-race card also features the 59th edition of the $360,211 Cane Pace, opening leg of the Pacing Triple Crown. Superstar Captaintreacherous has been installed as the 8-5 morning line favorite and will be coupled in the wagering with stablemate Wake Up Peter. Captaintreacherous looks to bounce back from his first loss of the season when he finished second by a nose in a world record equaling 1:47.4 in the Battle of the Brandywine at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs on Aug. 17.

Post time is 1:30 p.m.

Leading Tioga Downs driver Jimmy Marohn, Jr. leads his eight competitors by seven points after winning the opening leg of the Drivers’ Championship, held last Sunday night at Vernon Downs. Marohn won $10,000 as the halfway leader.

Monday’s final round includes five races. Drivers earn 10 points for a win, seven points for a second-place finish, five points for third, three points for fourth and one point for finishing fifth.

Another unique feature of the Drivers’ Championship is that all nine drivers will be donating their race earnings to a charity of their choice. The host tracks and Jeff Gural will each match the donations.

The charities being supported are New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program, Team Rubicon, Brian Michonski Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund, Standardbred Retirement Foundation, Harness Horse Youth Foundation, Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society, Best Friends Animal Society and Southern Tier Alternative Therapies.

Plenty of other fun events and giveaways are planned for Labor Day including a Corey Callahan bobblehead giveaway, Drivers’ Championship t-shirt giveaway, drawings to win iPads and a driver autograph session. All of the on-track excitement begins at 12:30 p.m.