by James Witherite, Tioga Downs racing media
Mach It a Par extends win streak to four
Nichols, N.Y. -- Tracking live cover on the backstretch, Dan
Clements's Mach It a Par ($3.00) showed immediate response at the top of the
stretch once again, taking Friday (July 24) evening's $12,000 Mares Open Pace
at Tioga Downs in decisive--and well-measured--fashion.
Getting away last in the field of six, John Cummings, Jr.
angled the 5-year-old Mach Three mare second-over to track the live cover of
Shutthefrontdoor (Vern Smith) well off a :55.4 half mile. Mach It a Par
was towed into midfield on the backstretch as Shutthefrontdoor turned up the pressure
on leader K J's Caroline (Jim Taggart, Jr.) past three-quarters in 1:24.
K J's Caroline ultimately gave way midway on the far turn, but
Shutthefrontdoor's new-found lead was in jeopardy at head-stretch. Mach
It a Par tipped off cover just upon cornering, and surged to the fore in
mid-stretch. She was taken in hand with 70 yards to go, and she prevailed
by a measured half-length in 1:52.2. Shutthefrontdoor held second, and K
J's Caroline checked in a worn-down third.
Renaldo Morales, III trains Mach It a Par, now a 14-time
winner.
Cummings led all drivers on the evening, notching three wins
on the 10-race card.
Live racing returns to Tioga Downs on Sunday (July 26)
afternoon, with first post scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Eastern time.
