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

Nichols, NY — Tioga Downs kicked off its fourth year of live racing Friday morning (April 17) with the first qualifying events of the season.

Ed Hart shipped in three to qualify and swept the two qualifying events of the morning with Sinful Cindy and On The Glass.

Sinful Cindy is a 3-year old who made her lifetime debut a winning one in 2:02 with a final panel of :29.3. The Art Major filly is owned by Cynthia Massari.

On The Glass is another Art Major filly, but she is no stranger to the races or the winner’s circle. In her freshman year on the track she racked up two wins, a second, and two thirds in eight seasonal starts for more than $40,000 in earnings. She is also owned by Cynthia Massari along with partner Joe Di Scala, Jr.

Tioga Downs will host another qualifying event on Wednesday, April 22, at 6:50 p.m., which is also press night at the Downs. The final pre-meet qualifier will fall on Tuesday, April 28, at 11:00 a.m.

Tioga Downs track scarified

Charles E. Coon & Sons was brought in to scarify the oval in Nichols, N.Y. earlier this week with assistance from Tioga’s own trackman, Richard Pirog.

The process, which involves digging down four-five inches into the surface, took a total of two solid days, from dawn until dusk. Once the surface was dug up, a 25 foot disc was used to break up the material into smaller pieces and then rolled and watered down to become the new track base. New material was then added to create a more consistent surface for the horses training and racing at Tioga Downs.

“I think the horseman will notice a fresh forgiving surface for their horses,” said Greg Coon.

Tioga Downs will begin racing on Saturday, May 2 (Kentucky Derby Day), with a post time of 6:50 p.m.

For more information on Tioga Downs go to www.tiogadowns.com.