For Opinion, click here for View from the Racetrack Grandstand

Monday, July 20, 2015

Tioga Racing Recap - Sunday, July 19, 2015

by James Witherite, Tioga Downs racing recap

Fireyourguns rebounds in Tioga pacing feature; Marohn wins four

Nichols, N.Y. -- After a punishing early pace led to defeat in his previous outing, Fireyourguns ($9.30) bounced back with a 1:50.3 triumph in Sunday (July 19) afternoon's $12,000 Open Pace at Tioga Downs.

Jim Meittinis sent the 6-year-old American Ideal gelding right to the front, working clear of Bettorsluckystreak (Jim Taggart, Jr.) and Believe This Bob (Corey Braden) on the first turn.  Fireyourguns set solid fractions of :26.2, :54.1, and 1:22.0 before facing a first-over challenge from Thunder Steeler (Dan Clements) on the far turn.  Fireyourguns had no issues dismissing that challenger, edging away at the top of the stretch and prevailing by 2-1/4 lengths.  Eastend Eddie (Jim Marohn, Jr.) swung three-wide off stalling cover to just take second, while Bettorsluckystreak was an all-out third off his pocket trip.

Trainer Terence McClory co-owns Fireyourguns with Jennifer and Robert Lowe.

The sub-featured $10,000 Open II Pace went to Elite Awards ($4.60, Taggart), who took charge with a circuit to go after yielding to Dreamlands Art (Brandon Simpson) in the early stages, only to hold off a late rally from that same rival for a 1:52.3 triumph.  Joe Skowyra trains the 4-year-old Powerful Toy gelding for owner Karen Walls.

Jim Marohn, Jr. led all drivers with four wins on the 13-race card.

Live racing returns to Tioga Downs on Friday (July 24) evening, with post time scheduled for 6:15 p.m. Eastern time.


-end-