by Dustin Ross, regional racing operations manager, Tioga Downs

Nichols, NY — The fields have been drawn for the finals of the 2008 Empire Breeders Classic at Tioga Downs on Sunday, May 25, with a post time of 1:15 p.m.

In the $270,625 final for the 3-year-old filly pacers it is Madam Countess who has been listed as the 5-2 morning line favorite. The Art Major filly is undefeated thus far in her career, and has won three straight at Tioga Downs for trainer Erv Miller. Madam Countess will have a new driver in David Miller this weekend as Jim Morrill, Jr. opted off to choose the second choice Woman Rebels.

Last weekend’s elimination winners — Madam Countess, Woman Rebels, and Riverbank Hanover — were allowed to select their post positions for the final and they chose posts three, four and five.

Paul MacDonell will make his first appearance at Tioga Downs on Sunday afternoon behind third choice Arts Diva for trainer Ken Sucee. The Art Major filly banked over $250,000 in her freshman year and started off 2008 with a second place finish by a neck to Riverbank Hanover in the fastest elimination for the fillies.

The $270,625 final for the 3-year-old filly pacers is as follows:

PP-M/L-Horse-Driver-Trainer
1-8-1-Loving Caroline-Yannick Gingras-Ross Croghan
2-8-1-First Draw-John Campbell-Linda Toscano
3-5-2-Madam Countess-David Miller-Erv Miller
4-7-2-Woman Rebels-Jim Morrill, Jr.-Paul Reid
5-6-1-Riverbank Hanover-Sam Schillaci-Jodi Schillaci
6-8-1-Artimittateslife-Stephane Bouchard-Edward Hart
7-12-1-Ladycino-Howard Parker-Larry Rathbone
8-9-2-Arts Diva-Paul MacDonell-Ken Sucee
9-15-1-Wall Of Art-TBA-Chuck Connor, Jr.

In the $242,275 final of the Empire Breeders Classic for the 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers, Bullville Powerful has been given the nod as the 2-1 morning line favorite. The Bettor’s Delight son won impressively last week in his elimination and will once again be guided by Yannick Gingras for trainer Stephen Crevani. Bullville Powerful won by more than eight lengths in 1:52.2 in his elimination over a track listed as good. He leave from post position two for the Crevani Farms.

Major Hottie, who was the other elimination winner, will leave from post position three for David Miller and trainer Mark Capone. Last week’s 1:53.3 front end victory was the first win of the career for the Art Major colt.

The $242,275 final for the 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers is as follows:

HN#-PP-M/L-Horse-Driver-Trainer
1-5-8-1-Baby Teeth-Stephane Bouchard-Edward Hart
1A-6-8-1-Harrah’s Best-Jason Bartlett-Kelvin Harrsion
2-1-4-1-Riggins-Ray Schnittker-Ray Schnittker
3-2-2-1-Bullville Powerful-Yannick Gingras-Stephen Crevani
4-3-9-2-Major Hottie-David Miller-Mark Capone
5-4-6-1-Cheyenne Barry-John Campbell-Robert Siegelman
6-7-10-1-Sailing Cruise-Joe Pavia,Jr.-Michael Peterson
7-8-8-1-Southwind Lark-Howard Parker-George Teague, Jr.
8-9-10-1-General Montgomery-Jim Morrill, Jr.-Peter Walsh

Tioga will also host four late closing series finals on Sunday afternoon, including the $39,600 final of the McNamaras Pacing Series, the $27,300 final of the Nichols True Value Trotting Series, the $29,400 Tioga Country Club Trot, and the $35,700 final of the M&J Oil and Lube Pace. Along with all of the finals on Sunday afternoon, Tioga will also co-feature the Open Handicap Trot, and the Open I and Open II pacing events.

Even after the races on Sunday, there will be plenty of entertainment for everyone with the Chubby Checker concert that starts at 8:00 p.m. Tickets for the Chubby Checker concert are available in advance for $10 and are available that day for only $15. To get tickets to the concert stop in at Tioga, give us a call, or they can be purchased online at www.ticketmaster.com.

For more information on any 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.