by Dustin Ross, for Tioga Downs

Nichols, NY — Tioga Downs, the Southern Tier Harness Horsemen’s Association, and the Harness Horse Breeders’ of NYS are joining together to host a scholarship race for high school seniors.

Tioga Downs, the STHHA, and the Harness Horse Breeders’ of NYS are working with the following five local area high schools (Athens Area High School, Owego Free Academy, Sayre High School, Tioga Central High School, and Waverly High School).

Hannah Alford from Athens Area High School will be teamed up with trainer-driver Phil Fluet, Mary Goodspeed of Tioga Central High School will be teamed with Tioga Downs leading driver Corey Braden, Kaley Goodrich of Owego Free Academy will be with trainer Edgar Clarke, Katherin Cybulak from Sayre High School will learn from Tioga Downs reigning co-trainer of the year Mike Deters, while Martha Vandewall from Waverly High School will join trainer Tim Lanpher. Students will be required to meet with their trainer-driver at Tioga Downs on three occasions (May 29, June 5 and June 12 from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 pm) before the race takes place to ensure safety and understanding of the basics of horse racing.

The race will take place on Sunday, June 13 at Tioga Downs before live harness racing begins, which will also feature the $200,000(e) Bettor’s Delight Open Pace. The students will ride in a double seated jog cart with their professional driver-trainer who they have learned from for the past three weeks.

Scholarships for the event will be given out in the order of finish of the race, 1st place: $3,000, 2nd place: $2,000, 3rd place: $1,200, 4th place: $800, and 5th place: $500.