by Dustin Ross, regional racing operations manager, Tioga Downs

Nichols, NY — The $25,000 second leg of the Miss Versatility Trotting Series has drawn the interest of nine of the best trotting mares in North America. The field of nine will go postward on Saturday night (June 14) at Tioga Downs with a first-race post time of 6:50 p.m.

World champion Buck I St Pat will look to continue her six-race winning streak for trainer Mickey Burke. She has won eight of ten races in 2008 and sports seasonal earnings of more than $285,000. The 5-year-old daughter of Jailhouse Jesse is owned by Howard Taylor, Edwin Gold, Abraham Basen and Robert Fuller. Buck I St Pat has been listed as the 8-5 morning line favorite and Howard Parker has been given the nod for his chance to sit behind the world champion trotter.

The field for the second leg of the Miss Versatility Trotting Series is as follows:

$25,000 Miss Versatility second leg
PP-M/L-Horse-Driver-Trainer
1-20-1-Susie’s Magic-Tony O’Sullivan-Tony O’Sullivan
2-8-5-Buck I St Pat-Howard Parker-Mickey Burke
3-20-1-Bruschette-Jan Johnson-Jan Johnson
4-8-1-Speed N The Tunnel-Corey Braden-Brett Wilfong
5-10-1-Queen Serene-Jay Picciano-Trond Smedshammer
6-6-1-Godiva Hall-Jim Marohn, Jr.-Trond Smedshammer
7-4-1-Wildfire Julie-Brendan Johnson-Noel Daley
8-8-1-Lavec Dream-Mike Simons-Mark Silva
9-20-1-Freeze Frame-Jim Raymer-Jim Raymer

Second leg of Rags to Riches slated for Sunday

The second leg of the Rags to Riches Pacing Series will narrow its field down to 18 following Sunday afternoon’s (June 15) four divisions. The first division has been carded as race three on the 10-race card that begins on Sunday (Father’s Day) at 1:15 p.m.

Six of the nine horses in the first division hit the board in the first leg of the Rags to Riches including two division winners from last Sunday. The two division winners from last week will leave from the two inside post positions, Wrist Rocket (post position one) from the Mike Palone Stable (Aaron Merriman) and Mountain Rocket from post two for trainer Dominic Macedonio who has listed Michael Merton to drive.

In the $15,000 Open Handicap Pace on Sunday afternoon, Rock N Roll Star will ship up from the Meadows for trainer Mike Palone. The 5-year-old gelded son of The Panderosa is owned by Francis Azur and Aaron Merriman has been listed to drive. Rock N Roll Star has four wins in 15 starts in 2008 and is just shy of $60,000 on the year. He will leave from post position six.

Tioga Downs kicks off its three-day weekend of live harness racing action on Friday, June 13, with a post time of 6:50 p.m. For more information on all of the events at Tioga visit www.tiogadowns.com or call 1-888-WIN-TIOGA.