Jamieson to
compete against all-star drivers for $25,000 first prize at Vernon Downs on
Aug. 25 & Tioga Downs on Sept. 2
NICHOLS, NY – Canada’s superstar is heading south of
the border.
Top Canadian driver Jody Jamieson has been named the
sponsor’s exemption and will be the ninth and final competitor in the 7th
Annual Tioga/Vernon All-Star Drivers’ Championship.
Jamieson will be competing in his third straight Drivers’
Championship. He accomplished an unprecedented double in 2011 when he won both
the Tioga/Vernon Drivers’ Championship and the World Driving Championship.
Currently, Jamieson is the top-money winning driver amongst
Canadian based drivers with nearly $4 million in earnings. Earlier this year,
he piloted Warrawee Needy to the co-fastest race mile in harness racing history
with a 1:46.4 win at the Meadowlands Racetrack in New Jersey.
“Jody has always been highly supportive of all the
initiatives to help promote the sport at the Meadowlands, Tioga Downs and
Vernon Downs,” said Jason Settlemoir, VP of Racing and Simulcast. “He’s one of
harness racing’s best representatives and we also feel that it’s appropriate to
have the leading Canadian-based driver competing in North America’s premier
driving event.”
The first round of the event takes place at Vernon Downs
during a special Sunday night of racing on August 25 with a 6:45 p.m. first
race post time. The leader after the Vernon round will receive $10,000. The
drivers and their accumulated points will then head to Tioga Downs on a special
Labor Day card, September 2, with a 1:30 p.m. post time. The overall winner of
the event receives $25,000.
The Vernon Downs leg of the challenge shares a card with the
$700,000 Zweig Memorial Trot featuring Hambletonian champion Royalty For Life
racing on his home track. The Tioga Downs leg of the challenge shares a card
with the $400,000 Cane Pace, opening leg of the Pacing Triple Crown. The Cane
is expected to feature a long-awaited showdown between top-rated 3-year-olds
Captaintreacherous and Vegas Vacation.
In addition to the racing on the track, fans will be treated
to a variety of giveaways and promotions including the annual bobblehead
giveaway and t-shirt giveaway while supplies last and drawings to win iPads and
laptop computers. There will also be pre-race autograph sessions with the
drivers on both days of the event.
