by Dustin Ross, regional racing operations manager, Tioga/Vernon Downs

Nichols, NY — Tioga Downs, the Southern Tier Harness Horsemen’s Association, and the Harness Horse Breeders of New York State are joining together to host a scholarship race for high school seniors.

Tioga Downs, the STHHA, and the Harness Horse Breeders of NYS are asking the following five local area high schools (Athens Area High School, Owego Free Academy, Sayre High School, Tioga Central High School, and Waverly High School) to select one graduating senior to participate in the event.

Students would be required to meet with a horse trainer at Tioga Downs on three occasions before the race takes place to ensure safety and understanding of the basics of horse racing.

The race will take place on Sunday, June 13, at Tioga Downs before live harness racing begins. The students would ride in a double seated jog cart with one of the professional drivers who would be driving at Tioga Downs that day.

Scholarships for the event will be given out in the order of finish of the race: 1st place: $3,000; 2nd place: $2,000; 3rd place: $1,200; 4th place: $800; and 5th place: $500.

If you have more questions regarding details of the event or would like to nominate your student for the race please call Guy Howard, President of the Southern Tier Harness Horsemen’s Association at 607.765.7168, or Jason Settlemoir, VP of Racing and Simulcast at 607.699.7588.

For more information on Tioga Downs visit www.tiogadowns.com.