Nichols, N.Y. -- Western New York pacing stalwart
Fireyourguns ($3.70) made his 2016 debut at Tioga Downs a winning one, blazing
a :26.4 third quarter up the backstretch en route to a 1:51 pillar-to-post win
in the featured $11,000 Open Pace on Memorial Day (May 30).
Aaron Byron sent the 7-year-old American Ideal gelding to a
clear lead, forcing last week's Open winner Nitro Seelster (Tom Jackson) into
the pocket before controlling fractions of :27, :56.1, and 1:23. After his
dynamic third-quarter blitz, Fireyourguns worked clear by three lengths at
head-stretch and left his rivals fully extended in pursuit. Meanwhile, Byron
only mildly encouraged Fireyourguns to keep to task, winning comfortably by a
diminishing length. Nitro Seelster held second from Knocking Around (John
Cummings, Jr.), who sustained first-over gains off the far turn to take third.
Trainer Terence McClory co-owns Fireyourguns with Jennifer
and Robert Lowe.
The win was one of three for Byron on the nine-race card,
who also swept the early double with Major Player ($3.50, 1:54.1) and Andreios
Kardia ($10.20, 1:52.4).
The 50¢ Pick 5 was hit, returning $153.00 with no winner in
the sequence longer than 4.1-1. By contrast, the corresponding win parlay
would have returned $66.19 on every 50¢ staked.
Racing returns to Tioga Downs on Friday (June 3) evening,
with first post at 6:30 p.m. Eastern time.
