by James Witherite, Tioga Downs racing media
Driver Aaron Byron had the hot hand at Tioga Downs on Friday
(August 22) evening, taking five of the evening's ten races. Among his
triumphs was a 1:52.1 win in the $15,000 Mares Open Handicap Pace with
Inittowinafortune ($6.20).
After establishing the lead with the four-year-old Cams
Fortune mare, Byron yielded to the pocket, allowing Southwind Trini (Jim
Meittinis) to set steady fractions of :27.3, :56 and 1:24. With the
first-over De Vins Girl (John Cummings, Jr.) fading on the approach to the far
turn, and even-money favorite Pan Luis Obispo (Vinny Ginsburg) commencing a
three-wide bid off stalled cover, Byron was able to wedge out of the pocket
with Inittowinafortune. The Michael Russo trainee struck the front in the
final sixteenth, driven clear to a 1-1/2 length win over Southwind Trini.
Pan Luis Obispo stayed on for third.
Byron also teamed up with Odds On Aventure (1:54), Belle
Boyd (1:53.3), Shutthefrontdoor (1:54.1), and Rompaway Brandon (1:57.1) to
complete his quintet of wins on the evening.
Live racing returns to Tioga with a 12-race card on Saturday
(August 23). Post time is scheduled for 6:15 p.m. EDT.
