Only Quarters Are The Slots!
Originally opened as Tioga
Park in 1976 for quarter horse racing, the Track in 1976, it featured an
open air grandstand that sat 1,800. The track is a five eights mile dirt
oval. Today the facility is glass enclosed and includes a casino, that
was built into the original footprint. Racing lasted for three
years then the track was shuttered. Once racino wagering was legalized
in New York Jeffery Gural who was the roller coaster owner of Vernon
Downs purchased the track. He quickly converted both tracks into racinos
changing Tioga Park into Tioga Downs.
World's Largest Weathervane ?One of the features of the original track, was what may have been the worlds largest weathervane. A 1,600 pound, 18 foot long, 9 1/2 foot high metal horse was installed on the water tower outside the track. It was installed with ball bearings so it would rotate with the wind, but don't look for it now, it's long gone.
Both tracks are still in business and have the added benefit of picking up New York Sires Stakes Races which were previously run at now defunct Syracuse New York State Fair meet.
In 2011 Tioga Downs ran it's mid spring to mid fall meet highlighted by New York Sires Stakes races. Ed Hensley captured the driving title. The prestigious Cane Pace was moved to Tioga Downs but unfortunately Hurricane Irene flooded the track and officials were forced to move the race to nearby Pocono Downs. The cane Pace and harness racing are scheduled for 2012 at Tioga.