by James Witherite, Tioga Downs racing media
Bourbon Bay scores his fourth Tioga Open win
Nichols, N.Y. -- After a
relaxed midpack start, Bourbon Bay ($7.70) sustained a push to the fore en
route to a 1:54.2 victory in Saturday (June 13) evening's $14,000 Open Trot at
Tioga Downs.
The 4-year-old Sand Vic gelding
was away slowly, settling into the fourth spot after Tag Up and Go (Kyle
DiBenedetto) and Its Payday Friday (Dan Clements) both broke stride in the
early stages. After Awsome Valley (Aaron Byron) crossed and cleared from
the extreme outside to establish the lead through a :28.1 first quarter,
lessee-driver John Cummings, Jr. strode to the top spot with Bourbon Bay,
brushing with a circuit to go before reaching race's midpoint in :57.2.
Heading to the far turn, Awsome Valley edged out of the pocket to give chase,
but Bourbon Bay held sway under a drive, prevailing by a length in
1:54.2. Tag Up and Go recovered from his early break, closing second-over
on the backstretch and holding third.
Megan Wilson handles the
training duties of Bourbon Bay, who scored his fourth local win in as many
starts on the season.
The sub-featured $10,000 Open
II Trot saw Valley of Sin ($9.50) kick cover on the far turn, drawing clear of
Twin B Spike Man (Aaron Byron) for a 1:54.3 triumph. Jim Meittinis drove
the 5-year-old Yankee Glide entire for trainer John Butenschoen. For
Valley of Sin, it was his second victory in as many starts since coming back
off a 22-month layoff.
Live racing returns to Tioga on Sunday (June 14)
afternoon, with a 12-race program kicking off at 1:30 p.m. Eastern time.
