by Dustin Ross, for Tioga Downs

Nichols, NY — Tioga Downs’ Director of Racing, Nick Salvi, and Assistant Race Secretary, Jason Bluhm, have filled the final 12 races of the year for Tioga’s closing night on Friday, September 14. The first race of the night will go to the gate at 6:50 p.m.

Tioga Downs will give out over $280,000 in purses on closing night. Co-featured races will include the $80,500 final of the Kindergarten Classic for 2-year-old colt and gelding pacers, the $77,500 Kindergarten Classic final for 2-year-old filly pacers, the $30,000 final of the United Sound Pacing Series, and the $27,200 final of the Binghamton Mets Trotting Series. Also on the card will be a $15,000 Fillies & Mares Open Handicap Pace, along with a $15,000 Open Handicap Pace.

Dragoon K shipped in and made his Tioga Downs debut a smash hit in winning the sixth and final leg of the Kindergarten Classic in a new track record of 1:53.4. Tim Tetrick will drive for Richie Gillock, who trains the 2-year-old son of Dragon Again for owner Robert Key of Leechburg, Pa.

Some of his main competitors will be the 2-year-old Artsplace colt Dreams Are Real (Yannick Gingras) and the 2-year-old Bettor’s Delight son Duke Did It (David Miller).

JK Getupngo will look to add another 38k to her already busting bankroll in the $77,500 final of the Kindergarten Classic for 2-year-old pacing fillies. The freshman Western Ideal filly has already banked over $93,000 in her first nine career starts for the 3 Brothers Stable of New York, New York. Linda Toscano trains the homebred daughter, who sports a record of three wins, two seconds, and three thirds in nine outings with a mark of 1:55.2 taken at Tioga Downs. Jim Morrill, Jr. has been handed the lines and given post position three for the final. It will go to the gate as the fifth race on closing night.

Barolo Hanover and Howard Parker are eyeing up the $30,000 final of the United Sound Pacing Series. The duo has one win and one second in the two legs of competition for trainer/co-owner Colby Hubble. The 5-year-old son of The Panderosa has drawn post position three for the final, slated as race ten on Friday night.

Khifra Hanover and Howard Parker have been slated as the heavy favorites in the $27,200 final of the Binghamton Mets Trotting Series. The 5-year-old Lindy Lane daughter has had a breakout year with 11 wins in 20 starts for earnings of more than $48,000. Khifra Hanover is trained by Janine Waldron for owner Julianna Sue Edwards. Parker and Khifra will leave from post position six in the third race of the night.

Tioga Downs will hold an end of the year fireworks display for all patrons and horsemen on Friday night following the races. There will also be free Tioga Downs seat cushions given out to the first 250 patrons through the door beginning at 6:00 p.m.

For more information on Tioga Downs, please visit our Web site at www.tiogadowns.com.