by James Witherite, Tioga Downs
racing media
Fireyourguns resilient in
Tioga feature
Nichols, NY -- Headed briefly
by Unlocked in upper stretch, Fireyourguns ($3.80) battled valiantly to a
1:50.4 triumph in Sunday (May 10) afternoon's $14,000 Open Pace at Tioga Downs.
Aaron Byron initially settled
in the pocket with the six-year-old American Ideal gelding, but an eager
Fireyourguns vacated the pocket and cleared to the lead immediately after
Unlocked reeled off a :26.2 first quarter. Fireyourguns would then
control the pace through a solid :55.1 middle half before facing a late
challenge from Unlocked on the far turn. While Unlocked took a brief lead
in upper stretch, Fireyourguns would not be denied, battling back to stick a
neck in front in the final yards. Unlocked was a game second, while Damon
Blue Chip (Tyler Buter) closed belatedly up the pegs to take third.
Trainer Terence McClory co-owns
Fireyour guns with Jennifer and Robert Lowe. The win was the second on
the year in as many starts for Fireyourguns.
Jim Marohn, Jr. and Jim
Taggart, Jr. shared top driving honors on the 12-race card, recording three
wins apiece.
Live racing returns to Tioga
Downs on Friday evening, with first post scheduled for 6:15 p.m.
-end-
