by James Witherite, Tioga Downs racing media
Fresh off a front-end win in last week's featured event,
Fireyourguns made the winning move on the far turn to prevail in going-away
fashion in Sunday (May 11) afternoon's $14,000 Open I Pace at Tioga Downs.
The five-year-old American Ideal gelding was parked on the
first turn before settling just behind the pace-setting pair of Prairie Jaguar
(Jim Marohn, Jr.) and Steelhead Hanover (Joe Pavia, Jr.). With Prairie
Jaguar clicking off a :54.4 half-mile and a subsequent 1:22.3 three-quarters
split, Aaron Byron angled Fireyourguns out, taking second on the far turn and
continuing right on to take the lead off the corner, pulling clear through the
stretch for a 1:51.4 score. Prairie Jaguar held second, while Real Flight
(Brandon Simpson) made a mild belated rally to take third. Odds-on
favorite Steelhead Hanover was devoid of late kick after tracking the fast
initial pace, fading to fourth.
Trainer Terence McClory co-owns Fireyourguns with Jennifer
and Robert Lowe.
The $11,000 Open II pace saw Western Trademark rally
three-wide off the last turn for a 1:54.1 victory in rein to Sean Bier.
Live racing returns to Tioga Downs on Friday (May 16)
evening, with first post scheduled for 6:15 p.m. EDT.
