For Opinion, click here for View from the Racetrack Grandstand

Monday, July 2, 2012

Tgdn5/8 - Kendall Blue sets track mark in Williams Auto late closer Sunday afternoon at Tioga Downs.

Kendall Blue and Jason Bartlett captured the $39,200 William Auto late closer final on Sunday afternoon at Tioga Downs in track record time for 4-year old trotting mares in 1:53.2. Leaving from post position number three, Bartlett hustled Kendall Blue to the front and was persistent on controlling the fractions seating All Munky Business (Mark MacDonald) in the two hole.

Kendall Blue then cut through fractions of 28, 56.2, and 1:24.3 with ease. Around the final turn, the 4-year old trotting mare was in total command of the field cruising through the wire an easy winner in a new lifetime best of 1:53.2. Tyler Raymer trains the 4-year old daughter of Credit Winner – Heather Weather for Albert & Michelle Crawford of Cazenovia, NY. All Munky Business (Mark MacDonald) hung on for second, while Four Damsals (Chris Lems) finished third.

In the $42,000 M&J Oil and Lube late closer final for pacing fillies, Corey Braden and Vy Hanover parlayed a perfect second over trip into victory. The duo settled in fourth as Buck Stops Here (Jason Bartlett) hung up fractions of 27 and 55.4. Past the half mile mark of the race, Southwind Lavanda (Stephane Bouchard) pulled first over from third giving Vy Hanover the perfect cover trip.

Around the final turn Southwind Lavanda put a neck in front, but her biggest threat had just tipped three wide off of her cover and quickly grabbed control of the race. Through the stretch Vy Hanover and Corey Braden stepped away from the field in a new lifetime best of 1:52.1. The 3-year old daughter of Cam’s Card Shark – Varbo is trained by David Duspiva for Mad Money Stable of Wallkill, NY. Southwind Lavanda (Stephane Bouchard) went a big mile to finish second, while Looney Dune (Fern Paquet Jr.) got room late in the stretch to finish third.

Tioga Downs continues live racing on Wednesday, July 4th at 6:50 pm and will feature a fireworks display following live racing. For more information on Tioga Downs please visit us on our website at www.tiogadowns.com .