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

Nichols, NY — Three divisions of New York Sire Stakes Late Closers for sophomore colt and gelding pacers come to Tioga Downs on Sunday afternoon (August 23). Two nine-horse fields go for purses of $12,900 each, while eight pacers line up for $12,800.

In the first division, Goodnite Goodluck leads a field of nine as the 5-2 morning line favorite for driver Brian Allen and trainer Dave Spagnola. The son of Bettor’s Delight-Priority Overnite is owned by Michael Polansky and has posted four wins in nine seasonal starts. Polanksy purchased Goodnite Goodluck for $30,000 at the Morrisville Sale in 2007.

Mr Artline has been given the nod as the 2-1 favorite for the second division on Sunday afternoon with Jordan Stratton listed on the driving assignment. The son of Art Major-Are You Sure was a homebred for the Anatolia Racing Stable. The colt was unraced as a 2-year-old, but has posted two wins, two seconds, and a third in 11 seasonal outings in 2009 for earnings of more than $25,000. His two victories have come in the New York Sire Stakes Late Closers at Yonkers and Monticello for trainer Jacob Hartline.

The third and final division seems to be a wide open affair, but Director of Racing Jason Bluhm has given the edge to the eight horse, Beauclaire Bono and Chris Lems. The son of Pro Bono Best-Century is owned by the Purple Haze Stable LLC and is trained by Vernon Downs’ leading trainer Jessica Okusko. The $42,000 yearling acquisition, purchased at the 2007 Harrisburg Sale, sports a record of two wins, two seconds, and two thirds in nine seasonal efforts with more than $8,000 in earnings.

Tioga Downs kicks off weekend racing action on Saturday, August 22, with a post time of 6:50 p.m. and continues racing on Sunday, August 23, at 1:30 p.m. For more information on Tioga Downs visit www.tiogadowns.com.