by Dustin Ross, regional racing operations manager, Tioga Downs

Nichols, NY — Tioga Downs is gearing up for another weekend of harness racing action as the New York State Fair races come to town.

Friday, August 15, gets the action rolling with five divisions of New York State Fair races for freshmen filly trotters with a post time of 6:50 p.m.

Fred Brown Photography

Bullville Powerful (#3) beat Riggins by a head in the Empire Breeders Classic on May 25 at Tioga.

Saturday, August 16, marks the return of top New York bred 3-year-old pacer Bullville Powerful from the Stephen Crevani stable. The 3-year-old son of Bettor’s Delight is a perfect two-for-two on New York’s only five-eighths-mile track in 2008, and is three for four lifetime. His only loss came in his 2-year-old year when he dead heated for second with Sailing Cruise, 1-1/4 lengths behind Hands To Yourself.

Bullville was too powerful for his eight other competitors on May 25 at Tioga when he nailed down the $242,275 final of the Empire Breeders Classic in 1:51.1 with driver Yannick Gingras.

Bullville Powerful has won seven of his 14 seasonal starts with earnings of more than $300,000. His usual New York pilot, Stephane Bouchard, will be in control as one of the top 3-year-old pacers, not only in New York, but all of the country, lines up behind the Tioga starting gate on Saturday night in race nine, leaving from post position eight.

Eleven New York State Fair races will go postward on Saturday night, along with an early non-wagering event at 6:30 p.m. followed by fireworks immediately after live racing.

Eight divisions of New York State Fair races will be battled out on Sunday with five divisions for 3-year-old pacing fillies and three divisions for 2-year-old colt trotters. Post time for Sunday, August 17, is set for 1:15 p.m. and Tioga would like to remind horsemen that there will be a free BBQ immediately following live racing in the Tioga Tent.

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