by Dustin Ross, for Tioga Downs

Nichols, NY — Tioga Downs will host an action packed weekend of racing in Nichols, New York beginning on Friday, May 18, with a post time of 6:50 p.m. (EDT). Eleven races will be contested on Friday night, highlighted by the Southern Tier Trot and the Tioga County Pace.

Todd Schadel and Keystone Celeste will look to stay perfect at Tioga from post three in the first division. The 3-year-old daughter of Yankee Glide won convincingly last time out by more than seven lengths in a new lifetime best of 1:57.4.

Polar Queen has won four of her six seasonal starts thus far in 2007 and will look for her fifth win in the second leg of the Tioga County Pace. The 3-year-old daughter of The Big Dog is trained by Richard Roadarmel, while Jim Taggart, Jr. does the driving. Polar Queen left from post ten last time out, and finally cleared to the front at the half-mile pole. She was on cruise control from there, winning comfortably by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:55.3.

Saturday night will feature two divisions of the Tioga Throwdown Trotting Series, along with two divisions of the Sackett’s Creek Pacing Series.

King Brandon will look for his sixth win of the season in his tenth start of the year. The 3-year-old colt cruised to victory in the opening leg of the Sackett’s Creek for Mike Simons, winning by more than three lengths in 1:54.2.

Sunday will feature some of the best racing in North America as top 3-year-old New York-bred pacers of both sexes will battle it out to make the final of the Empire Breeders Classic.

Kenneth J will make his seasonal debut for owner Kenneth Jacobs of Baldwinsville, New York. The 3-year-old son of Bettor’s Delight has qualified twice this year at the Meadowlands, once in 1:51.3 and the latest in 1:51.4 for trainer Linda Toscano. Jim Morrill, Jr. is listed to drive as usual pilot Ron Pierce will be in Sweden during the final next Sunday for the prestigious Elitlopp.As a 2-year-old, Kenneth J won seven of his 11 starts, earning more than $420,000 with a mark of 1:50.3 at The Red Mile.

The Tioga Downs track record for 3-year-old colt pacers of 1:53.2 looks to be in jeopardy as the top rated 3-year-old will make his seasonal debut in Nichols, New York!

Other top horses on the 13-race card include The Best, South Park Hanover, Pop Z Pop, Pesto Hanover, Jabez, Tuffofthetoughest, Up Front Brad, American Fury, and many more!

To view all of the entries for Sunday’s matinee card beginning at 1:15 p.m. (EDT) please click on the following link.