by James Witherite, Tioga Downs racing media
After facing stout pressure in a :27.0 third quarter,
Fireyourguns ($4.70) held sway in the stretch to take the featured
$14,000 Open Pace on Sunday (July 13) afternoon at Tioga Downs.
The five-year-old American Ideal gelding wasted no time
finding the top spot, clearing Bet On the Law (Tyler Buter) and Prairie Jaguar
(Jim Marohn, Jr.) on the first turn. After rating a :57.0 half-mile,
Fireyourguns was pushed along up the backstretch by Bet On the Law, who vacated
the pocket with three-eighths to go. He sustained his push through the
far turn, forcing a three-quarter split of 1:24.0, but Fireyourguns was up for
the task, digging in the whole way to protect his lead. He prevailed by a
half-length in 1:53.0, holding off a stand-side charge from Prairie Jaguar, who
angled three-wide off the late duel to take second. Bet On the Law stayed
on for third.
Trainer Terence McClory co-owns Fireyourguns with Jennifer
and Robert Lowe. The win aboard Fireyourguns was one of three on the day
for driver Aaron Byron, who also teamed up with Cool Like Fire (1:55.4) and
46-1 longshot winner P H Thunder (1:56.2).
Jim Marohn, Jr. led all drivers on the day with a grand
slam, turning in victorious efforts with Hurricane Howard (1:54.4), Oh My Joepa
(1:55.0), Jolly Lester (1:55.2), and Western Trademark (1:55.0).
