by Nick Salvi, for Tioga Downs

Nichols, NY — Tioga Downs will begin its 2012 live racing season on Saturday (May 5) and some changes have been made to this season’s opening schedule of races.

The New York Sires Stakes will start in mid-May this year, resulting in the late closers restricted to 3-year-olds offered in past seasons at Tioga being discontinued. The concern was that with the vast majority of nominees to the series being NY sired in past years, this change would render the 3-year-old late closers ineffective.

In place of the late closing series, Tioga will offer NYSS preps for a purse of $10,000 as overnight races (no payment required), restricted to NY sired 3-year-olds on opening weekend. This will provide a start for those looking to put a race in their colts and fillies before the NYSS begin. The races will be listed on the Tioga condition sheet for opening week.

Tioga will offer late closing series for 3-5-year-olds of each sex and gait that are non-winners of five pari-mutuel races or $60,000 lifetime through April 14 with two $10,000 legs and a $40,000 (est.) final. Those races require a $400 payment due April 15 and will be raced during the month of June. They may be accessed by visiting the Tioga Downs website. While you’re there, you may fill out the online stall application to request stabling for the 2012 racing season.

Tioga’s new race paddock, located in the stable area, will be in use when the meet opens. The new location will make racing several horses on one card far easier for horsemen. Call Racing Secretary Jason Bluhm at 607.699.7688 with inquiries.