by Dustin Ross, for Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs

Nichols, NY — Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs, in conjunction with the Breeding Fund, are proud to introduce The Empire Breeders Classic, a brand new event for the 2007 racing season.

The Empire is for New York sired 3-year-olds and includes separate divisions for each gait and sex. The gait of the trotter will be contested over the seven-eighths-mile track of Vernon Downs, while the path of the pacer will go to the post at Tioga Downs.

Eliminations are set for $10,000 each while all four finals are estimated at $150,000.

There are 18 sires that have been nominated so their foals of 2004 will be eligible to the Empire Breeders Classic this year. If a New York-eligible stallion fails to pay into this event, the owner of that stallion’s New York-eligible progeny may pay an “in lieu of” fee of $500 in addition to the regular $1,000 nomination fee by the March 15, 2007 deadline to make that single horse only eligible to this series. Eligibility further requires the completion of the payment schedule listed below.

Eight additional stallions have nominated for the set of 2008 races, in which we anticipate to have finals estimated for $250,000. The additional sires include Art Major, CR Excalibur, Dream Away, Final Kid, Malabar Man, Pacific Fella, River’s Edge, and RS Banker.

The 2-year-old $350 nominating payment to race in The Empire Breeders Classic next year is due on March 15, 2007. If your New York sire is not on the list of eligible sires you may still nominate by sending the $1,000 “in lieu of” along with the $350 nominating fee.

“We believe that having these races on Memorial Day weekend is a great way to kick off the New York Sire Stakes season,” said Jeff Gural, Chairman of American Racing and Entertainment.

For more information on the 2007 and 2008 Empire Breeders Classic go to www.nysirestakes.com.

Payments: March 15, 2007 — $1,000. Declaration Fee: $2,500

Stallions nominated to the 2007 race as of 2/23/07

Airmail Hanover
Bettor’s Delight
Conway Hall
Credit Winner
Dilbert Hanover
Easter Sun Hanna
Eighteen Karat
Giant Hit
Lislea
Master Of Style
Movie Mogul
Pro Bono Best
Riverboat King
Smooth Talking Guy
Space Shuttle
Three Wizzards
Turbonator
Village Jove