No Race at Tioga

Due to lack of riders and horses this year the Tioga race has been canceled. A representative of the horsemen association said they will support another race next year. 

RUS To Be Featured At Tioga Downs

Michelle Miller warms up Railroad Lane at Tioga Downs before a race held in 2017.

RUS New York is proud to be teaming up with Tioga Downs and its horsemen to put on a race on August 25.


The horsemen have generously agreed to put up $4,000 for six to seven starters or $5,000 for eight to nine starters to be distributed evenly per New York State law. The race will not be held with less than six starters. 


Conditions are as follows: 

Race Date: Sunday, Aug. 25                                      Race Office Direct Line: (607) 699-7688

Entry by:    DECLARE BY 9:00AM Wednesday, Aug. 21

                                                                 

Purse: $4,000 for 6 to 7 starters or $5,000 for 8 to 9 starters to be distributed evenly per NY State Law

Starters: Will not be raced with less than 6 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 2019 will get preference. After that, horses will be drawn by date of when last raced rather it be in harness or RUS. The Race Secretary and Judges have the  right to handicap horses based on past performances to make a more competitive field. 

Conditions: RUS Trot (6,000 P/C last three starts at any parimutuel track) 

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

Rider requirements:

1. Must hold a current active RUS license with the USTA and have at least one charted line behind the gate in 2019.

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:  Horses must be 3 years old or older to participate (can be older than 14). 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. Horse must show racing under saddle line in 2019. 

Season To Kick Off Father's Day

Get ready for some racing action, as the first race of the season will be held at Goshen Historic Track this Sunday. 

The event will be part of the track's 109th racing season, which will include a first responders celebration and matinee harness racing. Events are free and open to the public. Gates open at 11:30 a.m. with racing action to begin at 1 p.m. 

There are four entries for the racing under saddle feature - which is race No. 5 on a seven-race card. 

The Father's Day race will serve as the first leg of the RUS NY Fair Series. The series will continue Thursday at Afton Fair where there will be a RUS demonstration held before post time. Anyone interested in learning more about the sport is encouraged to attend. 

This will mark the sixth year of the series. It will include at least 10 race legs and conclude with a final at Monticello Raceway Thursday, Sept. 5.  Points earned along the way will determine final entries.  

There is a significant incentive to boost participation this season. Three sponsors, Oneida Veterinary Associates, PLLC, Tioga and Vernon Downs, pulled together to offer a $4,000 rider award challenge. Funds will be distributed based on points earned at the end of the series. Riders will need to participate in at least five races leading up to the final to qualify and points will be awarded to riders regardless of horse(s) ridden throughout the series.

Fair Series conditions can be found on the RUS NY website, rus-newyork.com. 

Official dates and locations for the series are as follows:

• Sunday, June 16 ---- Goshen Historical Track (1p.m. post)

• Thursday, June 20 ---- Afton Fair (noon post) 

• Tuesday, July 16 --- “Little World’s Fair" in Hemlock (noon post)

• Tuesday, July 23 --- Oneida County in Boonville (11AM Post)

• Tuesday, July 30 --- Otsego County Fair in Morris (noon post)

• Monday, Aug. 5 --- Tioga County in Owego (noon post)

• Tuesday, Aug. 6 --- Schoharie County Sunshine Fair in Cobleskill (noon post) 

• Monday, Aug. 12 --- Wayne County in Palmyra (noon post)

• Tuesday, Aug. 13 --- Steuben County in Bath (noon post)

• Tuesday, Aug. 20 --- Tompkins County in Trumansburg (noon post)

Fair Series Shows Promise To Be Best Ever

RUS NY releases details for 2019 season 

The excitement of racing under saddle at New York State county fairs will continue this summer and looks to be bigger than ever. 

RUS New York, an organization that helps promote the sport and the versatility of Standardbreds, is excited to announce its sixth fair series. Races will begin on Sunday, June 16 at Goshen Historic Track and conclude with the final at Monticello Raceway Thursday, Sept. 5.

Thanks to the series’ flagship sponsor, The New York Sire Stakes, at least 10 race legs will be held with a culmination of a championship final race. Points earned along the way will determine final entries.  

“The goal is to have higher purses this year in hopes of getting more participation,” RUS NY President Michelle Miller said. “We have worked hard at getting sponsorships and conducting fundraisers to try and get funds where we can confidently provide purses that are more comparable to the harness program. We want to get more horses on the track.”

Miller said there is another significant incentive to boost participation this season. She said three sponsors, Oneida Veterinary Associates, PLLC, Tioga and Vernon Downs, pulled together to offer a $4,000 rider award challenge and funds will be distributed based on points earned at the end of the series. Points will be awarded to riders regardless of horse(s) ridden throughout the series.

“Riders will need to participate in at least five races leading up to the final to qualify so it will hopefully help fill fields, “ said Miller. “We cannot thank these sponsors enough for providing this opportunity to our riders because owners get purse money so this may help riders get involved and cover costs.” 

More information about the challenge will be released by the group. 

The series will be for trotters only this year as it has been in the past, according to Miller. 

“The hope is to offer some pace races this year since the USTA officially approved a rule allowing this,” Miller said. “We could eventually possibly have races with horses of both gaits, chose to do a separate series or continue to offer just pace races on their own; we just have to figure out what will work best. We hope to use this season to  see how much interest there will be. It will also give those not yet licensed who want to get involved time to do so and become members of our organization. Having more races means more funds which takes more manpower.”

Fair Series conditions can be found on the RUS NY website, rus-newyork.com. Membership is free and open to anyone as being a resident of New York is not a requirement. For more information visit, http://www.rus-newyork.com/membership.html. 

RUS New York is also working on organizing some demonstrations to promote the versatility of the breed and have some fairs on board to add to the race days. The group’s website is the best resource for event dates and information. 

Official dates and locations for the series are as follows:

• Sunday, June 16 ---- Goshen Historical Track (1p.m. post)

• Thursday, June 20 ---- Afton Fair (noon post) 

• Tuesday, July 16 --- “Little World’s Fair" in Hemlock (noon post)

• Tuesday, July 23 --- Oneida County in Boonville (11AM Post)

• Tuesday, July 30 --- Otsego County Fair in Morris (noon post)

• Monday, Aug. 5 --- Tioga County in Owego (noon post)

• Tuesday, Aug. 6 --- Schoharie County Sunshine Fair in Cobleskill (noon post) 

• Monday, Aug. 12 --- Wayne County in Palmyra (noon post)

• Tuesday, Aug. 13 --- Steuben County in Bath (noon post)

• Tuesday, Aug. 20 --- Tompkins County in Trumansburg (noon post)

RUS New York is offering a sponsorship opportunity that will allow supporters to be a part of the winning experience. For $300 a sponsor can get a business logo or saying on a cooler and will be invited to present it as an award to each fair winner. The group needs at least a three week notice to make this happen so if interested contact Miller at mnmiller84@gmail.com. 

Sponsors can advertise in every fair program for as little as $200. There is a June 1 deadline for maximum sponsorship benefits. For other sponsorship opportunities contact Cathy Gearwar at fourgears@shoreham.net or by phone at (802) 537-2145. A PayPal account has been set up where people can make secure donations. To learn more, visit http://www.rus-newyork.com/become-a-sponsor.html.

Other ways to support the group is 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.

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 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 at:

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

RUS NY To Kick Off Season At Goshen Historic Track

Racing Under Saddle at Goshen Historical Track 2018. 

Get ready for the excitement because racing will start earlier than normal this year. Mark your calendars as RUS New York kicks off its season at Goshen Historical Track. 

There will be two races held at the historical oval this season. The first will be a part of the 2019 Fair Series and the second will be a conditioned race. 

“We are excited to be able to offer these races as it provides a huge opportunity to show our unique sport and the versatility of the breed in front of very large audiences. Racing at the historic track is unlike racing anywhere else. Fans are there because they love horse racing and you can hear them cheer the entire time you’re out there,” RUS NY President Michelle Miller said. 

Rail Road Lane is rearing to go before racing.

Conditions for the races are as follows: 

Races are being funded by RUS NY and will follow the organization’s rules and regulations. Riders must be a member of RUS NY. (Anyone can join for free by e-mailing rusnewyorkseries@gmail.com).

Rider requirements for both races: Riders must hold a current active RUS license with the USTA and have at least one charted line behind the gate in 2019. Riders will need to sign a waiver and are subject to a breathalyzer. Riders must participate in fundraisers and or sponsorship funding with a minimum of $500 raised to participate in any RUS NY event.

Horse requirement for both races: Horses must be 3 years old or older to participate (can be older than 14).  Horses must show a charted RUS line on the trot gait in 2019. The horse does not need to go with another horse. If there are more than 8 entries those showing to be most competitive will be used. 

Father’s Day Matinee Race: Sunday, June 16 

Will serve as the first leg of the RUS NY Fair Series. See rus-newyork.com for fair series conditions. 

All paperwork (W-9, Purse authorization) needs to be sent to RUS NY at 725 County Highway 45 Milford NY 13807 no later than Friday, June 21 to be paid. Must finish race to get purse money.

Entries- will be taken by RUS NY not Goshen Track so DO NOT ENTER ONLINE or CALL THE RACE OFFICE. Entries will be taken on Thursday, June 13th from 4 to 6 p.m.  Call (607) 316-8268. Entries can be placed via text, but if a confirmation is not sent back be sure to call. 

Estimated purse of $1,500 to be paid out per Fair Series conditions. 

Grand Circuit RUS Race:  Thursday, July 4

Conditions: 5,000 P/Cs last three starts in 2019 at any parimutuel track. Horses with no harness starts will be eligible based on RUS qualifying times (must go 2:16 but no faster than 2:02 on any size track).

This race will go for an estimated purse of $2,000 to be paid out:

5 or more starters 50, 25, 12, 8, 5 percent

4 starters 50, 25, 15, 10 percent

3 starters 50, 30, 20 percent

All W-9s and purse authorizations must be sent to RUS NY at 725 County Highway 45 Milford NY 13807 no later than Monday, July 8. All RUS NY rules and regulations will be used- see rus-newyork.com for more details.Trainers and owners of horses that participate in the June 16 race will get first preference into the Grand Circuit race if there are more horses entered than can fit behind the gate. Riders who participate in the June race will also get preference if not on the same mount. 

Entries- Will be taken by RUS NY not Goshen Track so DO NOT ENTER ONLINE or CALL THE RACE OFFICE. Entries will be taken on Friday, June 28 from 4 to 6 p.m.  Call (607) 316-8268. Entries can be placed via text, but if a confirmation is not sent back be sure to call. 

NO HORSE will be allowed to race, or be permitted to enter the grounds of Goshen Historic Track, without the following:

1. PROOF OF NEGATIVE COGGINS (EIA) TEST, within twelve (12) months of race date.

2. PROOF OF RABIES VACCINATION, within twelve (12) months of race date and not less than 14 days prior to race date.

NON-NEW YORK STATE HORSES: ALL HORSES ENTERING NEW YORK STATE MUST HAVE ALL OF THE ABOVE AND A CERTIFICATE OF VETERINARY INSPECTION (INTERSTATE HEALTH CHART) ISSUED WITHIN 30 DAYS OF ARRIVAL ON THE GROUNDS OF GOSHEN HISTORIC TRACK.

To keep up on RUS NY happenings follow the group at:

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

Horse Show Fundraisers Planned

RUS New York has a few horse show fundraisers planned. 

The first, Rocking S Ranch Fun Show, will be held Saturday, April 20 at 2434 State Highway 205 in Mount Vision, NY. The show should have something for everyone as it will include flat classes (hunter and western) as well as gaming. Registration will start at 8 a.m. The show will start at 9 a.m. with gaming to start no sooner than noon or directly following flat classes. 

Parking will be at the storage building next to the farm as there is not a lot of parking directly at the site. Participants may tack and ride to the show across a field that is in between the two properties. Some stalls will be available, but not a lot, so they will be provided first come first serve. Horses can be provided for use. Contact Codie Smith at (607) 267-4328 for more details.

Food will be provided by 4-H members.

Members of RUS NY are hoping to put on a Racing Under Saddle demonstration either during intermission or directly after show. A table will be set up for promotional purposes with merchandise for sale.

Link to event page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/576341322878432/

The second will be held Sunday, May 19 at Pure Country Campground in New Berlin, N.Y. 
Adress: 176 Kelly Rd, New Berlin, New York 13411
Link to event info on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1136068309886724/?active_tab=discussion

The third is a three-day event at Pure Country Campground. The Labor Day Weekend fundraiser will be held from Saturday, Aug. 31 to Monday, Sept 2. Be sure to check out the gaming events as they are a hoot. Spectators welcome as you are certainly in for a laugh. Events for non-riders as well. The group is looking for vendors for this event as well as donations for prizes and raffles. 

Link to Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/2238310956415501/

Link to game day event: https://1drv.ms/w/s!Ar1fYjhi6_lhggcy6wVPl8qPLKO7

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RUS NY to host Derby Night at the Races event

Chris Tully photo: RUS NY riders battle through the turn at Monticello.

By Chris Tully for RUS NY

Goshen, NY – The Racing Under Saddle series of New York is proud to host their inaugural Derby Night at the Races event on (Saturday) May 4 in Orange County, NY, the Cradle of the Trotter.

The fundraiser is an audience-participation event where actual races are shown on multiple televisions and guests are given the chance to “wager” on the outcome of eight pre-recorded horse races and win prizes.

The event starts at 6 pm, and guests will also be able to watch the 145th Run for the Roses live from Churchill Downs, which is slated for a 6:50 pm post time.

Party-goers are encouraged to wear Kentucky Derby-themed attire and there will be prizes for the derby best hat, best dressed, as well as a host of great door prizes.

To be held at G.W. American Burgers in Chester, NY, the multi-media facility is well-equipped to host the fun and excitement of a horse racing-themed affair which is geared toward adults and equine enthusiasts.

Tickets are $25 each or $40 per couple and seating is limited.  

Advance ticket purchase is necessary, and can be reserved by contacting Vanessa Karlewicz at (call or text) 914-588-3104 or thru Facebook messenger.

RUS NY is a group of passionate equestrians that are collectively committed to organizing and promoting under saddle races for Standardbreds across the state of New York, including events held in conjunction with various New York Fair Stakes races.

For more information about RUS NY go to: rus-newyork.com