by James Witherite, Tioga Downs racing media
Tirade Hanover and Tyber Tyke proved victorious in Saturday
(September 13) evening's co-featured $15,000 Open events at Tioga Downs,
headlining an eleven-race closing night card.
Tirade Hanover ($16.60) sustained a sweeping three-wide bid
on the far turn for a 1:54.3 victory in the $15,000 Open Trot, staving off
a resurgent Oh No Three O. The four-year-old Crazed gelding was well off
dueling leaders In Your Room (Mike Simons) and Oh No Three O (Fern Paquet, Jr.)
through a :55.3 initial half mile, sweeping three-wide past a stalled Spice It
Up Lindy (Tom Jackson) en route to the far turn. Tirade Hanover continued
on to the lead 100 yards from the winning post, maintaining his momentum to
just hold off Oh No Three O, who split rivals in a late rally from the pocket.
B L Class Act (Aaron Byron) gained late down the grandstand side to take
third.
Tyler Raymer drove Tirade Hanover to his fifteenth career
win. Trainer Leigh Raymer shares ownership with Stephen Moss, Harold
Solomon, and Helane Solomon.
Hoosier invader Tyber Tyke ($4.90) kicked clear late in the $15,000
Open Handicap Pace after sustaining a barrage of pressure, emerging from a
four-way battle to control a :55.1 initial half mile. The five-year-old
Panspacificflight gelding then repelled a stout first-over challenge from
Golden Gun (John Cummings, Jr.) before drawing clear to a 6-1/4 length victory
in 1:50.3. Bettorsluckystreak (Jim Taggart, Jr.) took second narrowly
after shaking free in the final yards, while Dreamlands Art (Mike Simons)
finished a tiring third after stalking from the pocket.
Fern Paquet, Jr. handled the driving duties aboard Tyber
Tyke for trainer Daniel Gill. John McGill and Brian Carsey co-own the
19-time winner.
Tioga Downs honored driving champion Jim Marohn, Jr. and
training champion Mike Deters during the evening's festivities, along with
acknowledgements of Trotter of the Year I Love New York (trained and driven by
Bruce Clarke through the meet) and Pacer of the Year Fireyourguns (driven by
Aaron Byron for trainer Terence McClory).
