Tioga Downs To Host Racing Under Saddle

Race Date: Sunday, July 23 

Race Office Direct Line: (607) 699-7688 

Entry by: DECLARE BY 9:00AM THURSDAY, JULY 20

Purse: $5,000 to be distributed evenly per NY State Law

Starters: Will not be raced with less than 7 entries. Up to 9 Starters will be eligible. If there are more than 9 entries, horses that have gone behind the gate with more than one other horse proving to stay flat the most in 2017 will get preference. After that horses will be drawn by date of when last raced rather it be in harness or RUS.

Conditions: RUS Trot (6,000 P/C L/S at any parimutuel track)


Track: Tioga Downs —- 2384 W. River Road Nichols, New York 13812

USTA Rules will be used


Rider requirements:

1. Must hold a current active RUS license with the USTA.
   
2. Will be expected to have all proper forms filled out and be prepared to blow a
   breathalyzer.
   
3. Must have proper colors, helmet, boots and safety vest.
   

Horse Requirements: 

A horse shall be considered qualified if it meets the following standards at the track where the horse is qualifying: 1/2 mile track – 2:16; 5/8 mile track – 2:14; 7/8 mile or larger track – 2:12. 

RUS NY Fair Series To Kick Off In Afton

The excitement of racing under saddle at New York State county fairs will continue this summer.

RUS New York, an organization that helps promote the sport and the versatility of Standardbreds, is excited to announce its fourth fair series. Races will begin on July 6 Afton Fair and conclude with the final to be held at Saratoga Casino and Hotel September 15.

The series will include nine race legs and a championship final race, with points earned along the way to determine final entries. A High Point Rider Award will once again be presented at the final to the rider who has earned the most points, regardless of horse(s) ridden throughout the series.

Official dates and locations for the series are as follows:

Thursday, July  6 ------ Afton Fair 
Tuesday, July 18------ “Little World’s Fair" in Hemlock
Tuesday, July 25-------Oneida County in Boonville
Monday, July 31------- Schoharie County Fair in Cobleskill
Wednesday, Aug. 2 ------ Tioga County in Owego
Wednesday, Aug.  9 ----- Oswego County in Sandy Creek 
Monday, Aug. 14 ---- Wayne County in Palmyra
Tuesday, Aug. 15 ---- Steuben County in Bath
Tuesday, Aug. 22 ----- Tompkins County in Trumansburg

Friday, Sept. 15—— Fair Final at Saratoga Casino and Hotel

RUS is yet to be self sufficient in the United States particularly because of legislation that prohibits wagering. Hopefully one day that will change. But until then, finding sponsors and ways to fundraise has been the biggest challenge going forward.

The series’ flagship sponsor, The New York Sire Stakes, has generously donated $5,000 as initial purse money. This year, the goal is to have a purse of $750 or more per fair.  Members of RUS New York are working hard and have held several fundraisers with more planned for the future. RUS New York is currently looking for sponsors and donations such as tickets to places and events, gift certificates, gift baskets and other items that can be used to raise money at various fundraising events. A PayPal account has also been set up where people can make secure donations.

To learn more about sponsorship opportunities, visit http://www.rus-newyork.com/become-a-sponsor.html. 

Last season the fair series included 12 races at 9 fairs across the state,  a race at Saratoga Casino and Hotel and a final at Batavia Downs.  RUS NY will be coordinating a race (separate from the fair series) scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 9. More details will be release closer to the event. 

What is Racing Under Saddle: 

Also known as Monte Racing, RUS, is a hybrid between harness racing and thoroughbred racing. The sport consists of a rider atop a Standardbred (generally a trotter) in a saddle instead of pulling a sulky.  RUS is an exciting part of international standardbred racing and is conducted daily at most european tracks as part of their regular pari-mutuel wagering programs.

The Fair Series is organized by RUS NY, an organization that helps coordinate and promote under saddle races across the state. The main goal is to promote the unique sport,  educate about the versatility of the Standardbred breed as both a racing and a riding horse and to help Standardbreds find great homes after they finish their days on the track.

To keep up on RUS NY happenings follow the group on  Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr. 

• Facebook.com/RUSNYSeries
• Twitter.com/RUS_NewYork
• http://rus-newyork.blogspot.com
• Rus-newyork.com