by Dustin Ross, regional racing operations manager, Tioga Downs

Nichols, NY — The 3-year-old New York bred pacers will be in the spotlight on Sunday afternoon at Tioga Downs (post time 1:15 p.m.) in the eliminations of the Empire Breeders Classic. Three eliminations were needed for the 3-year-old filly pacers while two divisions will go to the post for the 3-year-old colts and geldings.

Riggins, last year’s 2-year-old New York Sire Stakes champion will have his hands full in his second start of the season from post position nine. Ray Schnittker trains and drives the son of Art Major, who banked over $250,000 in 10 starts in his freshman year.

His main competition will come in the form of Major Duke from the powerful George Teague, Jr. stable. Major Duke hopes to become the 2008 Empire Breeders Classic Champ for his owner, the former champ himself, George Foreman.

On The Brink will also look to bang heads with Riggins and Major Duke in the first elimination and will leave from the trailing post 10 for trainer Duane Marfisi. The Dream Away colt will be making his first start of 2008 for owners Aaron Waxman, Alan Alber and Marfisi.

Berry’s Creek runner-up Bullville Powerful headlines the second elimination for the 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers. Stephen Crevani trains the son of Bettor’s Delight who was bred and is owned by Crevani Farms. Yannick Gingras, who has driven the colt in all five starts thus far in 2008, has been listed to drive once again and will start from post position two.

Share The Delight will look to start off 2008 with a bang for trainer Linda Toscano, who won the inaugural Empire Breeders Classic for colt pacers last year with Kenneth J. The son of Bettor’s Delight was the runner-up behind Riggins in last year’s New York Sire Stakes final, and will have the hands of Hall of Famer John Campbell at the reins. Share The Delight is owned by The Four Horsemen Stable and Algonquin Farms.

In the first elimination for fillies, the undefeated Madam Countess from the Erv Miller stable will face off with Wall Of Art from the Chuck Connor, Jr. barn. These two Art Major fillies have stamped themselves serious Empire Breeders Classic contenders, but have to face the two outside post positions of six and seven in the elimination.

In the second elim, Kissing Bandit, the 2007 2-year-old New York Sire Stakes champion, will look to get back on track for trainer Erv Miller. In 2007 the Art Major filly banked over $140,000 in eight starts while taking a mark of 1:54.3 at Tioga Downs.

Arts Diva looks to be the one to beat in the third elimination of the 3-year-old filly pace. In 2007 she finished second to A and G’sconfusion in the $686,608 Three Diamonds Final at Woodbine for trainer Ken Sucee. Last year the Art Major filly banked over $250,000 in 11 starts, but Sunday will be her first start outside of Canada. Arts Diva is owned by Brian and David Legge.

Don’t miss out on all the live harness racing action from Nichols, New York, in what promises to be some of New York’s best racing of the year. The $250,000 (est.) finals of the Empire Breeders Classic will go to the post on Sunday, May 25, at 1:15 p.m.

For more information on all of Tioga’s feature races, promotions and entertainment, visit us on our Web site at www.tiogadowns.com or give us a call at 1-888-WIN-TIOGA.