by Dustin Ross, Regional Racing Operations Manager, Tioga Downs & Vernon Downs

Tioga Downs greeted more than 3,800 eager race fans on opening night at the 5/8th’s mile track in Nichols, New York on Friday, May 11. Patrons were met at the front door with free Tioga Downs t-shirts and posters to the first 1,000 people in the door.

Keystone Celeste and Todd Schadel took the opening round of The Southern Tier Trot in gate to wire fashion. The 3-year-old daughter of Yankee Glide romped by more than 7 lengths on her way to a new lifetime mark of 1:57.4.

In the Tioga County Pace So Tuffian (Brian Mattison), Chinatown K (Jim Morrill Jr.), and Polar Queen (Jim Taggart Jr.) all took their respective divisions. Polar Queen turned in the fastest time of the three divisions in 1:55.3. Leaving from post position ten, Taggart did not make it to the front with The Big Dog filly until the half. Polar Queen went on to a 1-1/1 length score for owner-trainer Richard Roadarmel of Bloomsburg, Pa.

Lourdes A and Mike Simons took the $12,500 Fillies and Mare Open by a neck in 1:54 for owner Michael Muller of Sparrowbush, New York. Shady Matilda, piloted by Jim Marohn Jr., stuck a nose in front down the lane, but Simons fought back in deep stretch to take the victory.