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Friday, June 27, 2014

Upsets abound at Tioga; Summer Snow takes distaff feature

by James Witherite, Tioga Downs racing media

Upsets abounded early on the Friday (June 27) evening card at Tioga Downs, with four of the first six winners returning at least 10-1 odds.  In fact, two of four odds-on favorites on the 10-race card were handed defeat.  However, the featured $11,000 Miracle Mile 2 distaff pace was taken by one of its 9-5 co-favorites.

Summer Snow ($5.70) took the night's top pacing event, passing all five of her rivals en route to a 1:53 victory.  The striking seven-year-old grey Admirals Galley mare settled at the back of the pack early on, floating second-over to track the cover of Seascape Hanover (John Cummings, Jr.) after the pace-setting Hayworth Blue Chip (Jim Marohn, Jr.) clicked off a sharp :55.3 half-mile.  On the approach to the far turn, Mike Simons angled Summer Snow three-wide off a stalling Seascape Hanover, sustaining a push to the lead at head-stretch and edging clear to a 2-1/4 length triumph.  Antigua Hanover (Brandon Simpson) saved second off a pocket trip, while Last Minute Cindy (Aaron Byron) re-rallied between rivals after traffic trouble to take third.

Trainer Jennifer Lappe co-owns Summer Snow with the Squawk Box Stable, LLC.

Live racing resumes at Tioga on Saturday (June 28) evening, with three-year-old pacing fillies taking center stage in a trio of New York Sire Stakes events.  First post for the 13-race pari-mutuel card is scheduled for 6:15 p.m. (EDT).