by Anthony Byers, assistant race secretary, Tioga Downs

Nichols, NY — The list of eligible horses are in for the 2008 Tioga and Vernon Downs Empire Breeders Classic. Like last year’s races, the upcoming season should see the top 3-year-old horses in New York and some of the top drivers in North America vying for an estimated purse of $250,000 in each division.

The field of 3-year-old pacing colts includes several premier challengers. The 2007 2-year-old New York Sire Stake champion Riggins, a colt sired by Art Major, boasts a lifetime mark of 1:54 and over $250,000 in winnings from last year. He will be facing stiff competition from the NYSS runner-up, Share The Delight. The competitive field of 34 colts includes five horses with at least $75,000 in career winnings.

Kissing Bandit and Artimittateslife will draw a lot of attention in the 3-year-old pacing filly division. The pair finished first and second, respectively, in the 2007 2-year-old NYSS pacing filly division. The two have combined to win over $240,000 in only 15 races, and would seem to be among the early favorites.

A wildcard in the division comes in the form of Arts Diva, who has only raced in Canada. With a lifetime best of 1:53.1 and over $250,000 in earnings as a freshman, she will undoubtedly be a major factor this year.

Other notable fillies competing include Kamanda’s Jem, Loving Caroline, Riverbank Hanover, and Away We Go.

The 3-year-old trotting colts are highlighted by Ace High Hall. He will look to improve upon his third place finish in the 2007 NYSS final. A gelding sired by Conway Hall, he put together an impressive resume in his first season of racing, hitting the board in all eight of his races while earning over $118,000. The sophomore, who set his lifetime mark of 1:58.2 at Tioga Downs last year, should be one of the leading contenders in this division of the Empire Breeders Classic.

With seven fillies surpassing $70,000 in career earnings, the 3-year-old filly trotting division looks to be as competitive as ever. Happy Ticket, Nirvana Blue Chip, and Epangeline finished in the top three spots, respectively, in last year’s Sire Stake final. They will compete with a host of others, including Creamy Mimi, who earned over $134,000 in just four starts last year.

The Empire Breeders Classic is a series of races designed to reward New York breeders and kick off the New York Sire Stakes season. Last year’s inaugural Classic showcased some of the finest young horses the state has to offer. Now entering its second season, the Classic will offer even more exciting racing and up and coming horses.

The elimination races will be held on Saturday, May 17, and Sunday, May 18. The finals will be matinee races, held on Sunday, May 25 and Monday, May 26. There will be a free horsemen’s barbecue following the races for all Classic participants. For more information, please call the Tioga Downs race office at (607) 699-7688. For a list of all eligibles, please visit our Web sites at www.tiogadowns.com or www.vernondowns.com.