Field is set for 58th Cane Pace

Friday morning marked the draw date for the 59^th annual Cane Pace, to be held for the first time ever at Tioga Downs on Monday, September 3^rd (Post time 1:30 pm). Cane Pace elimination winner, Heston Blue Chip, who is a perfect seven for seven at Tioga Downs, will have his work cut out for him as he has drawn post position number nine for the $322,716 final.

Heston Blue Chip will need help from the far outside post

Meadowlands Pace winner, A Rocknroll Dance, who is fresh off of his win in the $500,000 Battle of Brandywine at Harrah's Philadelphia, has drawn post position number six. Jim Mulinix trains the 3-year-old son of Rocknroll Hanover – Wichita Hanover for A Rocknroll Dance Stable, and usual pilot, Yannick Gingras, will be on hand Monday to do the driving.

A Rocknroll Dance, who has posted four wins, four seconds, and a third in 11 seasonal starts good for earnings of just over $900,000. 

Below is the field for the $322,716 Cane Pace Final:

Race 9:

$322,716 Cane Pace Final

#          PP        HORSE                                  DRIVER                    TRAINER

1          4          Dynamic Youth                         George Brennan           Aaron Lambert

1A       6          A Rocknroll Dance                   Yannick Gingras            Jim Mulinix

2          7          Pet Rock                                  Brian Sears                  Virgil Morgan Jr.

2A       8          Mybrothergeorge                      Dan Noble                   Tony Osullivan

3          1          Bettor’s Edge                           David Miller                 Linda Toscano

4          1          Time To Roll                            Ron Pierce                   Jimmy Takter

5          3          State Treasurer                         Mark Macdonald         Ian Moore

6          5          Steelhead Hanover                   Jim Morrill Jr.               Joe Pavia Jr.

7          9          Heston Blue Chip                     Tim Tetrick                   Linda Toscano

The female counterpart to the Cane Pace, The Shady Daisy, drew six entrants into this year's $100,000 event. Major Look leads a field of six sophomore pacing fillies for Monday afternoon's eighth race with the field listed below:

Race 8:

$100,000 Shady Daisy

#          PP        HORSE                                  DRIVER                    TRAINER

1          1          Rockaround Sue                       Yannick Gingras           Tony Alagna

2          2          Major Look                             Jeff Gregory                 Kevin Mc Dermott

3          3          Blackjack Princess                   Mark Macdonald         Mark Ford

4          4          Bettor B Lucky                         Jim Morrill Jr.               Ron Burke

5          5          Persistent                                  David Miller                 Casie Coleman

6          6          JK Fine Art                              Ron Pierce                   Linda Toscano

Tioga Downs will have a detention barn for the $322,716 Cane Pace final, horses must be in detention at Tioga Downs by 10:00 am on Monday (September 3).

            

Also highlighting the Monday afternoon card will be two non-wagering exhibition events held during the races for under saddle racing. One field of seven and another group of six will go post ward in between the third and fourth, and fourth and fifth events on the racing card.  

 
Tioga Downs continues live racing on Saturday, September 1^st with a post time of 6:50 pm, for more information on Tioga Downs please visit us on our website at www.tiogadowns.com .

Heston Blue Chip impressive in Cane Pace elimination

The hometown favorite, Heston Blue Chip, continued to do what he does best at Tioga Downs, and that is win races.

He came into the Cane Pace Elimination on Sunday night a perfect six for six at Tioga Downs and he left now seven for seven.

The connections of Heston Blue Chip opted to pay the $35,000 supplemental fee to the Cane Pace as a way to get revenge on some of the top colts in the country after a disappointing fourth place finish in the Meadowlands Pace.

On Sunday night regular pilot Tim Tetrick sat in fourth as Simply Business (Ron Pierce) headed the field by an opening quarter in 26.1. As Pierce hit the brakes on the front end, Tetrick quickly shuffled Heston to the front gaining control of the field by a half in 54.1. Down the backside and headed towards three quarters, Steelhead Hanover (Jim Morrill Jr.) were left first over by three quarters in 1:21.4 as Tetrick as Heston for more. Down the stretch Tetrick and Heston Blue Chip were in total control opening up on the field to win in 1:49.2.

Steelhead Hanover (Jim Morrill Jr.) put in a huge effort and got second, while State Treasurer (Mark MacDonald) finished third. It was the ninth win in 10 seasonal starts for Heston Blue Chip, who just posted his fourth win in a row at Tioga Downs for trainer Linda Toscano.

"He's a really nice horse who goes out every week and can pace in 48 or 49 and he'll be blown out by the time he reaches the paddock," said winning driver Tim Tetrick. "I can't say enough good things about this horse he is such a pleasure to drive, it's like driving a Cadillac out there."

The Cane Pace drew 11 entries with A Rocknroll Dance and Time To Roll accepting byes to the $322,716 final on Monday, September 3^rd. 

The top seven finishers from Sunday night's elimination joining A Rocknroll Dance and Time To Roll in the final will be: Heston Blue Chip, Steelhead Hanover, Bettor's Edge, Simply Business, Dynamic Youth, and Pet Rock.

There were three supplemental entries to this year's Cane Pace including Heston Blue Chip, State Treasurer, and Pet Rock.

In the $40,000 Miss Versatility trotting series, Beatgoeson Hanover (Jim Morrill Jr.) sat last as Cedar Dove (Ron Pierce) cut through fractions of 27, 56.3, and 1:25.1. As the field headed around the final turn Morrill and Beatgoeson Hanover were loaded with trot heading four wide at the top of the stretch to win in 1:54.1. 

It was the fourth win in 14 starts for Beatgoeson Hanover who is trained by Richard Norman for owner Neven Botica. Action-Broadway (Brian Sears) trotted home late for second, while Pembroke Heat Wave (Tim Tetrick) hung on for third after a tough first over trip.

Tioga Downs continues live racing on Saturday, September 1^st with a post time of 6:50 pm, for more information on Tioga Downs please visit us on our website at www.tiogadowns.com.

Blackjack Princess captures Tioga Friday night feature

Blackjack Princess and Jimmy Marohn Jr. took home Friday night's $18,000 fillies and mares open handicap pace at Tioga Downs.

Leaving from post position number four in a field of eight, Marohn put Blackjack Princess on the front end by an opening quarter of 27.1. Marohn then used a 30 second breather in the second quarter before stepping on the gas down the backside to reach three quarters in 1:24.4. Around the final turn Blackjack Princess opened up on the field to pace away and win in a new lifetime best of 1:52.2.

It was the second win of the year for the 3-year-old daughter of Cam's Card Shark – Happy Doris who is trained by Mark Ford for owner Robert O Di Nozzi of New York. Runaway Tray (Fern Paquet Jr.) finished second, while Forty Three (Phil Fluet) closed late for third.

Tioga Downs' leading driver, Jimmy Marohn Jr., posted a five bagger on the night's 10-race card, while Jim Meittinis enjoyed a driving double.

Tioga Downs continues live racing on Saturday, August 25^th with a post time of 6:50 pm, for more information on Tioga Downs please visit us on our website at www.tiogadowns.com .  

Eleven enter Cane Pace at Tioga Downs

Eleven three-year-old pacing colts dropped in the entry box on Thursday morning at Tioga Downs for harness racing's first jewel of the pacing Triple Crown, The Cane Pace.

One $107,572 elimination race will take place on Sunday night at Tioga Downs (Post time 6:50 pm) with a field of nine after A Rocknroll Dance & Time To Roll accepted byes to the final.

Pet Rock, who paid $35,000 to supplement to the Cane Pace, was offered a bye to the final but the connections opted to race in the elimination.

Two other supplemental entries were received in the Tioga Downs race office Thursday morning from Heston Blue Chip and State Treasurer.

The field of nine which includes Mybrothergeorge, Pet Rock, Dynamic Youth, I Fought Dalaw, Bettor's Edge, Steelhead Hanover, Simply Business, Heston Blue Chip, and State Treasurer, will go to the post in race number nine on Sunday night at Tioga Downs.

The top seven finishers will join A Rocknroll Dance, and Time To Roll in the $322,716 Cane Pace Final on Monday, September 3^rd at Tioga Downs (Post time 1:30 pm).

Also highlighting the Sunday night racing card at Tioga Downs is a $40,000 leg of the Miss Versatility trotting series which drew a field of eight including: Magic Wheel, Pembroke Heat Wave, Uffra Girl, Pantholops, Unefoisdansmavie, Cedar Dove, Action-Broadway, and Beatgoeson Hanover.

Tioga Downs begins its three-day weekend of live racing on Friday, August 24 with a post time of 6:50 pm, for more information on Tioga Downs please visit us on our website at www.tiogadowns.com .  

Vlos captures Tioga Downs' Monday night feature

Vlos (Fern Paquet Jr.) captured Monday evening's featured $16,500 open pace at Tioga Downs.

Starting from post position number six, Paquet made an uncharacteristic move with Vlos and took him off the gate to settle in last as the field went by the opening quarter in 27.1. As the field headed towards the half, Vlos inherited the fifth place position as Pacinello (Luke Plano) made a break past the three eighth's mile mark of the race. The field of pacers reached the half mile mark of the race in 55 led up top by Eastend Eddie (Keith Kamann) as Vlos began the first over journey from fifth.

As the field headed by the three quarter mile mark of the race in 1:23 Paquet was right at the throat of the leader and was pressing on around the final turn. At the top of the stretch Vlos was asked for more and he responded opening up to win by three parts of a length in 1:51. The 8-year-old son of Dragon Again – Sweet Tender is owned by Bella Rosa Racing LLC of New Jersey and is trained by Eric Mollor.

Sheer Brilliance (Lewayne Miller) found room late in the stretch after a two hole trip to finish second, while Home Again Dragon (Phil Fluet) got up for third. 

Tioga Downs continues live racing on Friday, August 24^th with a post time of 6:50 pm, for more information on Tioga Downs please visit us on our website at www.tiogadowns.com .  

All About Kisses captures Tioga Downs’ Saturday night feature

All About Kisses (Mike Simons) captured Friday night's $18,000 fillies and mares open handicap pace at Tioga Downs.

Despite having post position number nine, Simons quickly fired All About Kisses towards the front out of the gate and took control of the field past an opening quarter in 26.3. From there the duo put up honest fractions of 55.1 and 1:23.3 before easing away from her eight other rivals in 1:52.2.

It was the third straight win for the 4-year-old daughter of Pro Bono Best – Cheerful Outlook, who is trained by Chuck Connor Jr. for the partnership of Connor and Crawford.

The win was the sixth in 13 seasonal outings for All About Kisses who with the win increased her seasonal earnings to more than $60,000.

Forty Three (Jim Meittinis) paced home late off of cover to finish second, while Runaway Tray (Fern Paquet Jr.) used a two hole trip to hang on for third.

Mike Simons posted a driving grand slam on the night's ten race card, while Lewayne Miller enjoyed a driving triple.

Tioga Downs continues live racing on Sunday, August 19^th with a post time of 1:30 pm, for more information on Tioga Downs please visit us on our website at www.tiogadowns.com .  

Doctor Butch leads NYSS winners at Tioga Downs

Doctor Butch (Pat Berry) posted the most impressive win in one of three divisions of NYSS for 2-year-old colt pacers on Friday night at Tioga Downs.

Doctor Butch wins his NYSS division in 1:52

Starting from post position number four, Berry hustled Doctor Butch to the front past an opening quarter in 27. From there his biggest challenger, Bet The Moon (Jim Marohn Jr.) sat on his back through fractions of 56 and 1:23.4. Around the final turn Berry asked Doctor Butch for more and the 2-year-old responded impressively pacing a final panel of 28.1 to win in 1:52 establishing a new lifetime mark.

It was the fifth win in seven starts for the 2-year-old son of Art Major – Classical Yankee who with the win increased his seasonal earnings to more than $155,000. Linda Toscano trains Doctor Butch for Ken Jacobs who purchased the colt for $55,000 as a yearling.

Deny Deny Deny and Pat Berry captured the first division in the first race of the night. Leaving from post position number one in a field of seven, Berry placed Deny Deny Deny on the lead past a quarter in 28. From there Berry set comfortable fractions of 57.1 and 1:25 before holding off late pressure from Artist Night (Jim Meittinis) to win in 1:53.2.

The mile was a new lifetime mark for Deny Deny Deny who captured his second victory in six starts and increased his earnings to more than $96,000. Linda Toscano trains the 2-year-old son of Art Major – Fool For You for Ken Jacobs of Baldwinsville, New York.

Thirty Two Red wins with Ray Schnittker

In the second division, Thirty Two Red (Ray Schnittker) carved out fractions of 27, 56.1, and 1:25 before cruising away in the stretch to win in 1:53.4. It was the fourth win of the year for the 2-year-old son of Bettor's Delight – Sakura Hanover who was purchased for $70,000 by the partnership of Schnittker, Gewertz, Arnold, and Burroughs.

Tioga Downs continues live racing on Saturday, August 18^th with a post time of 6:50 pm, for more information on Tioga Downs please visit us on our website at www.tiogadowns.com .  

Tioga Downs and STHHA to offer $15 driver minimums

Tioga Downs and the Southern Tier Harness Horsemen's Association have worked together to implement a program that will pay drivers a minimum of $15 for their drives even when finishing out of the money.

The program was brought to Tioga Downs’ attention by the STHHA and the sides have agreed on the policy which will be retroactive to July 6, 2012.

"It's only fair for the drivers to get paid for the job they are out there doing day in and day out when sometimes they don't really have a good shot in the race," said Paul Bernardo, Director of the STHHA and one of the trainers based at Tioga Downs. "We believe that these guys deserve something for their work especially the guys who drive quite a ways to come race at Tioga."

Drivers who have participated at Tioga Downs since July 6 should see the checks arriving in the mail sometime in the next few weeks.

"This is a good program that rewards drivers for their work they are doing at Tioga Downs, and we feel that it will continue to strengthen an already strong driving colony we have here," said Corey Braden, one of Tioga Downs' leading drivers.

Tioga Downs continues live racing on Friday, August 17^th with a post time of 6:50 pm featuring NYSS for 2-year-old colt pacers. For more information on Tioga Downs please visit us on our website at www.tiogadowns.com .  

Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs to host under saddle races in September

Helene Gregory wins the RUS exhibition at the Meadowlands

Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs will host under saddle exhibition races in September as part of the Cane Pace Final card on Monday, September 3^rd at Tioga Downs, and part of the End of Summer Showdown at Vernon Downs on September 7^th.

Under saddle racing has been on the rise in popularity this year with an exhibition being staged at The Meadowlands on Hambletonian Day.

The exhibition races will take place during the race card and will be non-wagering events. Trotters will be used for the exhibition race.

"It is very refreshing to see all the interest in this "new" aspect of harness racing," said Helene Gregory who has been leading the charge to help revive under saddle racing in harness racing. “I am currently working with a group of riders and other Monte fans on a totally new RUS/Monte organization and also working with racetracks and racing jurisdictions to get this new racing style approved and ultimately become a betting product. We have the support of many leading harness profiles, Standardbred breeders, track owners, horse owners, drivers, lawyers, trainers, you name it. Everyone wants to see more of Racing Under Saddle."

The races are being sponsored by Tioga Downs and the Southern Tier Harness Horsemen's Association at Tioga, and Vernon Downs and the HHA of CNY at Vernon Downs.

Post time on Monday, September 3^rd at Tioga Downs is slated for 1:30 pm, while the End of Summer Showdown on Friday, September 7^th will have a 6:55 pm post time. 

For more information on Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs please visit us online at www.tiogadowns.com and www.vernondowns.com.

Tirade Hanover's Track Record Heads NYSS at Tioga

The NYSS and Excelsior for freshmen trotting colts accounted for 10 of the 12 races on the Monday night card at Tioga and were true to the promise of unpredictable form the baby trotters exhibit.

Tirade Hanover and Brian Sears set a new track record

Top driver Brian Sears made the trip from Jersey for just the one drive on Tirade Hanover and Sears made it count. The precocious gelded son of first crop sire Crazed responded to a flawless steer by lowering the track record for his division by a second and a half to 1:55.4 under minimal encouragement.

Now a winner four times in seven starts (with a few legitimate excuses thrown in) and boasting a return of nearly $80,000 on the $10,000 purchase price for the partnership of Leigh Nichol, S. M. Moss, H. & H. R. Solomon and trainer Tyler Raymer, Tirade Hanover looks to be a comer in the program.

Upsets marked the first couple of splits, with Jeff Gregory steering a pair of outsiders to rewarding scores for their small legion of backers.

Insider Access got the gold for the first time in his brief career at 5 1/2 to 1 for trainer Jonas Czernyson and owner Jarold Hawks in an impressive 1:59- taking the initial sires stake offering.

Gregory spun right back in division two at a mutuel of $47.40 with Prove Up for trainer Linda Toscano and owner Richard Balog when the short priced Twisted Pretzel went awry in the stretch.

Form returned in the final NYSS division when the flashy Credit Winner colt Fashion Blizzard won as expected after his well meant third in the Peter Haughton final last week. Jim Morrill, Jr was aboard for trainer Jim Campbell and owner Jules Siegel's Fashion Farms. This colt is a home bred from Mr. Siegel's good stakes winning mare of a few seasons ago, Fun And Strokes.

Most impressive among the six Excelsior winners were two more sons of Crazed.

Frank Antonacci let the home bred Crazed N Lindy roll through a wicked 1:25.4 three quarters before coasting in for a 1:57.3 tally. He is owned by the breeders, Lindy Racing Stable, along with Robert Rudolph.

Robin Would sprinted home off a pocket ride to record a 1:58.2 score with Morrill aboard for trainer Larry Remmen and owners Joseph Jannuzzelli, Saverio Spagnolo and Ray Remmen; posting another credit for Crazed's siring résumé.

Bettor B Lucky, Heston Blue Chip Win EBC Finals

One was an upset winner and one had the race won when he entered. That's the story for Bettor B Lucky who lived up to her name when she upset the heavily favored Takter entry of American Jewel and Romantic Moment to win the filly division of the Empire Breeders Classic.

Heston Blue Chip, undefeated in NYSS action this year, continued his dominance while breaking his own track record to win the colt final.

Bettor B Lucky (near) just gets up to win at 18-

Bettor B Lucky, the 3-year-old daughter of Bettor's Delight-Hornby Lucky, left from post 2 with driver Jim Morrill, Jr. and secured the 3 hole behind the favored Takter entry of American Jewel and Romantic Moment. The race seemed to go American Jewel's way while she cruised thru fractions of 26.2, 56, and 1:24.1.

The first over challenger Handsoffmycookie never advanced past 4^th on the outside which allowed the front 3 to separate a little and battle it out late. Halfway around the last turn Romantic Moment tipped out from the 2 hole trip to challenge stable mate American Jewel while the Ron Burke trained 18-1 shot Bettor B Lucky tipped off that cover.

American Jewel tired late and Romantic Moment and Bettor B Lucky dueled to the wire with Bettor B Lucky coming out on top in 1:50, a new lifetime mark.  Romantic Moment finished 2^nd while stable mate American Jewel ended up third.

Bettor B Lucky raised her lifetime earnings to just over $300,000. A replay of the race can be viewed at the following link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hID7WM4KHW8&list=UU_zm7AZtzCioO1U5K0bDXZQ&index=1&feature=plcp.

Heston Blue Chip continued his supremacy of New York bred pacers with a dominating win. Sent forward from post position 2, driver Tim Tetrick moved the Linda Toscano trained 3-year-old to the front in 26.4. 

Heston Blue Chip sets a new track record in EBC win

After leading the field past the half in 55 Tetrick stepped on the gas and Heston Blue Chip responded with a 26.2 3^rd panel to trip the ¾ pole in 1:21.2. First over challenger Breakin The Law was able to get to the wheel of Tetrick at the ¾ pole but he would get no closer as Heston Blue Chip proceeded to open up on the field winning by a handy 3 ¼ lengths in a new 3-year-old track record and lifetime mark of 1:48.4.

Breakin The Law hung on for 2^nd while Bet On The Law finished 3^rd.

After the race, Tetrick said, "He's super to drive and has a ton of speed. He's a tough horse and when you get him in gear he can go a long way."

The $30,000 American Ideal-Shot Togo Bluechip yearling has been a blessing for owner Ken Jacobs.

"I bought this horse from Bluechip. I make a couple trips there a year to look over the yearlings and this was the one I picked out. I was glad to win this race. Jeff (Gural) has done so much for racing and Tioga is the marquee place for racing as far as I’m concerned," said Ken Jacobs.

The win was the 19^th in 22 career starts for Heston Blue Chip pushing him over three quarters of a million dollars for his life. A replay of Heston Blue Chip's win can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3FZS0sGllI&list=PL8CFB6A991E8FFF2D&index=1&feature=plcp.

Also on Sunday's card were 3 EBC undercard races. The 1^st of 2 colt divisions was won by Fireyourguns (Morrill) in a new lifetime mark of 1:51. The 2^nd division was won by Ideal Griff (Morrill) in 1:52.2. The filly final also had an upset winner with 31-1 Abrokenart Hanover (Morrill) taking it in 1:54.2.  

Jim Morrill, Jr., the king of the NYSS, won five races on the card including 4 of the 5 Empire Breeders Classic races.  

Tioga returns to action Monday night with a special 6pm post. Four divisions of NYSS 2-year-old colt trotters take the stage as well as six divisions of the Excelsior series.

For more information please visit our website at www.tiogadowns.com.

Forty Three Upsets in F&M Open

39-1 long shot Forty Three rallied from last to upset in the Tioga feature.

A group of six talented mares went postward with heavy favorite Run On Luck moving quickly to the front thru a brisk opening quarter of 27.1.

Run On Luck and driver Jim Marohn, Jr. continued to lead unpressured thru middle half fractions of 56.3 and 1:24.2.

In the final turn, the field tightened as Run On Luck tired and began to take on foes from every direction. 

Sean Bier placed Forty Three in a perfect 2^nd over trip tipping out mid stretch to secure the victory by a neck.

Southwind Trini sat 5^th during the mile found room in the stretch to charge home for 2^nd, Kiddie McCardle rounded out the tri.

The win was Forty Three's 2^nd in a row and 3^rd in just 6 starts this year at Tioga.

Live racing returns Sunday with the Empire Breeders Classic races highlighting the 1:30pm card.

The top 3 year-old NY-bred filly and colt pacers will be on display to duel it out for over $500,000 in purses.

For more information please visit our website at www.tiogadowns.com

Heston Blue Chip and Bettor's Edge capture EBC eliminations

Heston Blue Chip and Bettor's Edge captured the two eliminations of the Empire Breeders' Classic races on Sunday afternoon at Tioga Downs.

In the first elimination on Sunday afternoon, Heston Blue Chip (Tim Tetrick) was the overwhelming favorite and settled in fourth as the field went by the quarter in 26. As the field headed towards the half mile mark, Breakin The Law (Yannick Gingras) pulled from third to begin the first over journey with Heston Blue Chip pressed tight on his helmet.

Lawgiver Hanover (Mark Macdonald) continued to cut out the fractions by three quarters in 1:22, but the field was quickly circling the leader around the final turn. Tetrick tipped Heston Blue Chip three wide off cover and easily opened up for his second straight win at Tioga Downs in 1:50.4. Breaking The Law (Yannick Gingras) secured second despite a tough first over trip, while Ideal Romance (George Brennan) closed late for third.

Also qualifying for next week's final was Bet On The Law (Jim Morrill Jr.).

In the second elimination David Miller put Bettor's Edge on the front end through some favoring fractions o26.3, 56.2, and 1:24.1. Around the final turn the field was tipping three and four wide trying to make up ground, but it was a sprint to the wire with Bettor's Edge winning the battle in 1:51.2.

Getting up for second in the three horse photo was Major Bombay (Andy Miller), finishing third was Forever Just (Tim Tetrick). Finishing fourth and qualifying for next week's final was Lifeimittatesart (Yannick Gingras).

Coral Snake (George Brennan) and American GI (Andy Miller) finished fifth in the eliminations and in the draw for the final spot in next week's final, Coral Snake has drawn in leaving American GI as AE1.

Ten 3-year-old pacing fillies were entered into the Empire Breeders' Classic race on Thursday morning so no eliminations were necessary. 

All ten pacing fillies will move directly to the final on Sunday, August 12^th with a post time of 1:30 pm.

The ten fillies for the EBC include – American Jewel, Bettor B Lucky, Brownsville Bomber, Eighthunrdolarbill, Handsoffmycookie, Hearts N Flowers, Ramalama, Romantic Moment, Ryder Blue Chip, and Shelliscape.

Tioga Downs continues live racing on Saturday, August 11^th with a post time of 6:50 pm, for more information on Tioga Downs please visit us on our website at www.tiogadowns.com .  

Spice It Up Lindy makes it three in a row at Tioga Downs

Spice It Up Lindy and Jim Meittinis took their usual place in the winner's circle following Saturday night's $16,500 open trot at Tioga Downs

Leaving from post position number six in a field of six, Spice It Up Lindy bullied his way to the front through an opening quarter in 27.4. Meittinis then controlled the fractions of 57.3 at the half before receiving first over pressure from All About Justice (Mike Simons) through three quarters in 1:25.2. Around the final turn, Spice It Up Lindy was asked for more and the 9-year-old responded opening up to win his third straight Tioga Downs open trot in 1:54.2.

Santo Zuzolo owns and trains the son of SJ's Caviar – Spice World who posted his seventh win in 10 seasonal outings. All About Justice (Mike Simons) held tough despite a first over journey for second, while Hoboken Sonny (Howard Parker) got up for third.

Tioga Downs continues live racing on Sunday, August 5^th with a post time of 1:30 pm featuring two eliminations of the Empire Breeders' Classic for 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers. For more information on Tioga Downs please visit us on our website at www.tiogadowns.com .  

Forty Three wins Tioga Downs Friday night feature

Forty Three and Sean Bier captured Friday night's featured $11,500 fillies and mares winners over pace at Tioga Downs.

Leaving from post position number two, Bier put Forty Three into contention early and enjoyed a two hole trip courtesy of Sinspirational (Jimmy Marohn Jr.). Marohn cut through fractions of 28.1, 57.4, and 1:26. At the three quarter pole, Bier pulled Forty Three off the rail and held off a late charge from Stormunn in the lane to win in 1:53.

It was the third win in 13 seasonal starts for the 4-year-old daughter of American Ideal – Lake Hills Susie for Indigo Racing LLC of California. Jeff Long took over the training duties on Forty Three since she came to Tioga, and with the winning time of 1:53 established a new lifetime mark.

Stormunn (Corey Braden) finished second, while Lizzie's Dream (Mike Merton) used her patented late kick to get up for third.

Lewayne Miller was the only repeat winner for drivers on Friday night posting a driving double on the night's 10-race card.

Tioga Downs continues live racing on Saturday, August 4^th with a post time of 6:50 pm, for more information on Tioga Downs please visit us on our website at www.tiogadowns.com.