by Dustin Ross, for Tioga Downs

Nichols, NY — Tioga Downs hosted its first qualifying races of 2007 on Friday morning, April 27.

Donald Dancer picked up two qualifying victories, one on the trot with Lindy’s Red Bull and one on the pace with Mi Dushi.

Lindy’s Red Bull is a 5-year-old son of Self Possessed, who is owned by William Weaver III of Freehold, New Jersey, and is trained by Dancer. Lindy’s Red Bull was a highly sought after yearling, bringing a winning bid of $130,000 at the Tattersalls Sale in Lexington, Kentucky. Dancer left with the trotter from post position seven and never looked back en route to a 9-3/4 length victory in 2:00.1.

Mi Dushi made her way back to the track after a brief three month layoff from the races. The 4-year-old daughter of Magical Mike is owned by the Howard Stables of Binghamton, New York, who also bred the mare out of A B Sea. Mi Dushi took her lifetime mark at Tioga Downs last year as a 3-year-old with a mile timed in 1:55.3. This time, from post position four, Dancer enjoyed the perfect pocket trip and shook loose late in the mile to get up and win by a nose in 2:01.1.

Tioga Downs will hold another qualifier on Friday, May 4, at 11:00 a.m. (EDT), followed by a party for all Tioga horsemen in the “Tioga Tent” after qualifying races have finished. Tioga Downs’ management and horsemen would like to thank the Southern Tier Harness Horsemen’s Association in advance for hosting the party after the qualifiers.

Tioga Downs will begin live racing on Friday, May 11, with a post time of 6:50 p.m. (EDT).

To place an entry in to qualify next Friday, please call the Tioga Downs race office at (607) 699-7688.