by Dustin Ross, regional racing operations manager, Tioga Downs

Nichols, NY — Harness racing’s spotlight will once again shine on Tioga Downs on Sunday, July 27, as the top drivers in North America battle it out in the second annual Drivers’ Championship.

Fred Brown Photography

An autograph session with the drivers is a popular feature of the Tioga Drivers’ Championship.

Total prize money on the day is $40,000 of which $25,000 will be awarded to the first place finisher.

The top seven money winning drivers in North America were given an invitation of which all accepted except David Miller. With Miller declining the invitation, Ron Pierce was asked and eagerly accepted to compete in his second straight Drivers’ Championship.

The leading money winning driver at Tioga Downs, Howard Parker, was given an invitation, while the sponsor’s exemption for 2008 was Jody Jamieson.

These nine drivers have won more than 2,480 races in 2008 while their combined earnings are an astonishing $45,564,164. Here is a closer look at the field of drivers for the Drivers’ Championship:

Tim Tetrick: After setting the all-time record for wins last year Tetrick slowed his schedule down, but still has a two million dollar lead on the money earnings chart. Some of his main mounts in 2008 have come from one of the top free for all pacers, Artistic Fella, and top trotting mare, Buck I St Pat.

Brian Sears: He once again shows his “Mr. Consistent” performance year in and year out in top competition. His main mount of 2008 thus far would have to be Mister Big, who has thrilled harness racing fans with his epic battles against Artistic Fella in the free for all ranks. Will look for two Drivers’ Championships in a row, as he and Yannick Gingras were co-champions in the 2007 edition.

Anthony Morgan: Possibly one of the most traveled drivers in North America in which his schedule has him driving six or seven days a week at numerous racetracks a day. Has done exceptionally well on the PASS circuit this year and seems to find himself on top of the drivers’ standings wherever he goes.

Eric Goodell: 2007 featured a breakthrough year for Goodell and he has continued his success on the big stage of The Medowlands. Has won a few finals this year at The Big M, including the $250,000 Lady Liberty with Life Of Luxury N for trainer Ross Croghan.

Yannick Gingras: Came to Tioga Downs earlier this year and won the $242,275 final of the Empire Breeders Classic with one of the top 3-year-old pacers, Bullville Powerful. The duo will look to add the $1.1 million Meadowlands Pace to their resume on Saturday, July 19. Comes into town looking to defend his co-championship title from last year’s Drivers’ Championship.

Andy Miller: He and his wife Julie moved their stable out east a few years ago and since then they have done very well. Andy Miller got the nod to drive returning Mr Feelgood against the top open pacers in the country and they have added the Isle Of Capri and Graduate Finals to both of their resumes.

Ron Pierce: Has been doing very well on the PASS circuit this year along with driving Holiday Credit for top trainer Jimmy Takter. The duo added the Dexter Cup final at Freehold to their list of achievements in 2008. Has been close, hitting the board in many finals this year including the James Lynch Memorial (second), The Hempt Final (third), and The Empire Breeders Classic (third).

Howard Parker: Leading money winning driver at Tioga Downs, along with leading in wins. Will have home field advantage in his first Drivers’ Championship at Tioga Downs and will have the crowd support behind him.

Jody Jamieson: Has become very familiar on the U.S. stake circuit and has one of the top 3-year-old pacers in the sport, Santana Blue Chip, in his team’s barn. He has also traveled throughout the U.S. this year with free for all pacer Western Shore. This will be Jody’s second straight Drivers’ Championship at Tioga Downs.

Don’t miss out on what will prove to be one of the biggest days that New York harness racing has to offer on Sunday, July 27, with a post time of 1:15 p.m.

On the apron beginning at 12:00 p.m. drivers will be available for a meet and greet, for autographs and talking with the public.

Tioga Downs would like to thank each of the following sponsors for their support of this event: Allerage Farms, All Events Engraving, Art Gray Consulting, Blue Chip Farm, Bow River Jewelry, Climans Green Lian Architects Inc., Delaware County Fair, The Horsemen and Fair World Magazine, LP Ciminelli, NTRA, Oneida Print Shop, Panda Air, Roberts Communications Network, Southern Tier Harness Horsemen’s Association, Tioga Downs, Towne Law Office, and United Tote.

For more information on Tioga Downs please visit www.tiogadowns.com or call 1-888-WIN-TIOGA.