by Dustin Ross, Regional Racing Operations Manager, Tioga Downs

Nichols, NY — Tioga Downs will offer the first qualifying races of the season on Friday, April 29, at 11 a.m. Entries will be taken by the race office at 607.699.7688 until the box is closed at 10 a.m. on Thursday, April 28.

The next opportunity to get qualified will be Tioga’s annual Press Night on Tuesday, May 3, at 6:50 p.m. That evening serves as a dress rehearsal and offers the local press a chance to get reacquainted with the live racing. Call in for next Tuesday’s qualifiers by 10 a.m. on Monday, May 2.

Also, the April 15 stakes payments have been tabulated and those lists are available on the Tioga Downs website. The 2011 Late Closing slate looks promising and begins on Opening Day at Tioga, Saturday, May 7. Check the racing web page for the first condition sheet.