by James Witherite, Tioga Downs racing media
Michael Pagonas's Inittowinafortune ($2.90) achieved an
early lead and never looked back, scoring a decisive 3-3/4 length victory in
Friday (July 25) evening's $14,000 Open Handicap Pace for fillies and mares at
Tioga Downs.
The four-year-old Cams Fortune mare dueled briefly with
Cloris Hanover (Brandon Simpson) before clearing the lead on the first turn en
route to a sizzling :26.4 first quarter. After Aaron Byron rated a :29.4
second quarter breather, the Michael Russo trainee sprinted away on the
backstretch through a :27.0 third split, only to be chased in earnest by Cloris
Hanover to the far turn. Inittowinafortune responded willingly to the
pursuit, edging clear in the final 300 yards to win in 1:52.0. Cloris
Hanover was a clear second, while Dirty Girty (Mike Merton) sustained a late
rally to narrowly take third from Southwind Trini (Jim Marohn, Jr.).
Jim Marohn, Jr. led all drivers on the card with three wins.
Live racing resumes on Saturday (July 26) evening, with the
first of nine races scheduled for 6:15 p.m. EDT.
