by James Witherite, Tioga Downs racing media
Arodasi kicks cover to prevail in Tioga distaff
Nichols, N.Y. -- Enjoying a second-over trip through a :28
third quarter, Arodasi ($4.30) prevailed as the even-money favourite, kicking
cover and sprinting clear to a 1:51.1 victory in Friday (August 21) evening's
$14,000 Mares Open Pace at Tioga Downs.
Mike Simons kept the 6-year-old Western Terror mare off a
contested early pace, settling into fourth as Shutthefrontdoor (Dan Clements),
Donttellruss (Aaron Byron), and Southwind Trini (Jim Marohn, Jr.) all vied for
contention through a :27 initial quarter. After Southwind Trini, who won that
three-way battle, rated a :55.2 half, she faced strong first-over pressure from
Donttellruss on the backstretch. Arodasi slid second-over on approach to
the far turn, closing in steadily and swinging three-wide as Donttellruss
reached the apex of her bid. While Southwind Trini had enough to repel
Donttellruss's challenge, Arodasi was able to vault clear in the final
sixteenth, drawing off to defeat the longtime pacesetter by 1-1/4
lengths. Justhaventmetuyet (Corey Braden) rallied belatedly down the
grandstand side to take third.
Trainer Joe Pavia, Jr. owns Arodasi in partnership with
Peter Shank, Joseph Barbera, and the AGC Stables, Inc.
John Cummings, Jr. and Jim Marohn, Jr. both recorded driving
doubles on the nine-race card.
Live racing returns to Tioga Downs on Saturday (August 22)
evening, with the first of 10 races scheduled for 6:15 p.m. Eastern time.
