by Nick Salvi, for Tioga and Vernon Downs

Nichols, NY — The nominations for Tioga and Vernon Downs stakes are in and the numbers are up virtually across the board.

Topping the charts is the Miss Versatility (mare trot), benefiting from a restructuring of the series. Increasing the number of preliminary legs to four, raising the purse for each from $25,000 to $40,000 and staging two at Mohawk Racetrack has resulted in a gain of 80 percent (from 21 to 38) for mares paid in.

The Muscle Hill (mare trot) and Artiscape (mare pace) both show gains while the Bettor’s Delight and Credit Winner (open events) are each down a couple.

The Kindergarten Trotting Classic continues to attract huge numbers with 169 colts and 166 fillies making the first payment, an increase of eight percent over last year.

The 2012 Empire Breeders Classic for 3-year-old New York breds held even while 2-year-old nominations to the 2013 Classsic increased by seven percent.

Complete lists of eligibles, with pedigrees for all 2- and 3-year-old events, are posted on the Tioga and Vernon websites.

Live racing is now less than a month away at Vernon (April 27) and Tioga begins a week later on May 5.

There remains limited availability for stabling at Tioga for the summer meet. Call Jason Bluhm at 607.699.7688 with inquiries.