Tioga Racing Recap - Saturday, May 16, 2015
by James Witherite, Tioga Downs
racing media
A little racing luck and a
strong closing kick propelled Brenda Messenger and Scott Woogen's I'm Fabulous
($12.40) past odds-on favorite Detroit Rapper to take Saturday (May 16)
evening's $14,000 Open Trot at Tioga Downs.
Kyle DiBenedetto put the
ten-year-old Andover Hall mare into play immediately, securing the pocket
behind B L Class Act (John Cummings, Jr.) before Detroit Rapper (Jim Meittinis)
brushed from third to take charge after a :27.4 initial quarter.
Relegated now to third, I'm Fabulous saved ground through the race's middle
stages, closing the pocket behind Detroit Rapper on the approach to the far
turn as B L Class Act angled second-over behind Its Payday Friday (Dan
Clements). While Detroit Rapper was able to turn aside the stout
first-over challenge from Its Payday Friday after being pushed to a 1:25.4
three-quarter sectional, I'm Fabulous kept the pocket closed to reclaim second
from her tiring outside rivals. Once clear, she moved off the pegs,
collaring the softened I'm Fabulous in the final yards to prevail by a half
length in 1:55.1. Oh No Three O (Jeffrey Long) saved ground throughout,
advancing up the pegs late to take third.
Gary Messenger trains I'm
Fabulous, who has proven victorious in both her Tioga efforts this season in
addition to 36 other triumphs through her career.
Driver Tom Jackson recorded a
hat trick on the evening's 11-race program, partnering with Kerin Warner
trainees Moon Lake ($5.60, 1:57.4) and Stormunn ($7.20, 1:55.2) as well as
Shawn Simons trainee Ashcroft ($3.40, 1:58.4).
Sunday (May 17) afternoon's
card features a quartet of New York Sire Stakes events for three-year-old
pacing colts and geldings, with an assortment of Excelsior races comprising the
undercard. Post time is 1:30 p.m. Eastern time.
