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

Nichols, NY — Tioga Downs kicked off its first qualifying events of the 2010 race season on Friday morning, April 16.

Major Work Of Art and Phil Fluet posted the fastest qualifying time of the morning with a front end effort of 1:57.1. Fluet sent the 3-year-old son of Art Major-Out Of Pocket to the front through fractions of :27.4, 1:00.2 and 1:28.3 before pacing home in a final panel of :28.3. Major Work Of Art is eligible to the $250,000 Empire Breeders Classic at the end of May.

“We can’t wait to get open so the horsemen don’t have to spend hours shipping and can stay close to home to race for good money,” said Guy Howard, President of the Southern Tier Harness Horsemen’s Association, on Friday morning.

The three other qualifying winners on Friday morning were Miss Rambo (2:01-Maynard Cornell), Tisnstars Dreamer (2:03-Ronald Lineweaver) and Nothingcanshakeme (1:59-Jeff Sorenson).

“The new track material is much better for the horses and will be better for their feet throughout the year. We are using the same type of track material that Vernon Downs uses and it will help withstand the rain better than it has in past years,” said Richard Pirog, Track Superintendent at Tioga Downs.

For more information visit www.tiogadowns.com.