by Dustin Ross, regional racing operations manager, Tioga Downs

Nichols, NY — Tioga Downs concluded its third year of live racing from Nichols, New York on Sunday, September 21. As in years past, fans and families lined up to watch New York’s only five-eighths-mile track compete on a Friday, Saturday, and Sunday basis.

The 2008 driver of the year award went to Howard “Pacin” Parker, who spent his second straight season at Tioga Downs this summer. He posted 78 wins on the 59-day schedule and represented Tioga Downs in its second annual $40,000 Drivers Championship on July 27 with a third-place finish.

The 2008 trainer of the year award went to Jim Perry, who set a new record of wins for a trainer with 34, breaking Jamie Sullivan’s 2007 mark. One of his main competitors out of his barn was Winbak Dimensions, who was co-horse of the year in 2008 and posted eight wins at Tioga Downs. He won six Open paces with Jimmy Marohn, Jr. in the bike for owners William and Jack Heinz.

Fred Brown Photography

Biggest Big Bertha was named co-horse of the year and equaled the track record for older pacing mares.

Biggest Big Bertha was also co-horse of the year and equaled the 1:52.1 track record for older mare pacers set by Alexi Killean in 2007. She made it to the winner’s circle six times at Tioga Downs, including one against the boys in the winners over pace. She was conditioned by Patty Harris for owner Marilee Keene.

For the year of 2008 the record books saw 13 records come and go in which one, by Godiva Hall and Jimmy Marohn, Jr. of 1:53.3, also established a new world record for 4-year-old trotting mares on a five-eighths-mile track.

“The employees and horsemen and Tioga Downs are great to work with and make everything we do a great success,” said Jason Settlemoir, VP of Racing and Simulcast. “The Southern Tier Harness Horsemen’s Association is always willing to sit down and go over ideas and promotions with us to help put people in the grandstand here. The marketing team is always coming up with new and exciting ways to promote the sport in the area and has made a huge impact on our attendance figures.”

Tioga Downs would like to thank all of its farm sponsors for their help during the 2008 race meet along with all of its sponsors for the second annual Drivers Championship.

For more information on Tioga Downs please visit www.tiogadowns.com or call 1-888-WIN-TIOGA.