by James Witherite, Tioga Downs racing media
Accelerating clear on the backstretch in a :26.4 third
quarter, Laurie Lee Poulin and Mike Deters's Prairie Jaguar ($7.70) returned to
his winning ways, holding clear in the $14,000 Open 1 Pace on Sunday (June 8)
afternoon at Tioga Downs.
The six-year-old Spy Hard gelding was eager to set an
ambitious pace, but was rated by Jim Marohn, Jr. through a :56 half mile.
On the backstretch, Prairie Jaguar edged clear of Electrofire (John
Cummings, Jr.), while Glass Prince (Rick Dane) made a first-over rally into
second. With the remainder of the field struggling to keep pace with
Prairie Jaguar through three-quarters in 1:22.4, the battle was mainly for
minor spoils. Prairie Jaguar held clear to the line, but was kept to task
in his 1:51 victory, with Glass Prince holding second, and Electrofire staying
on to be third.
The $11,000 Open 2 Pace was taken by Golden Gun ($31.00) in
similar fashion, pushing clear on the backstretch en route to a 1:52.2 win with
John Cummings, Jr. in the bike.
Live racing resumes at Tioga Downs on Friday, with first
post scheduled for 6:15 p.m. EDT.
