Nichols, N.Y. -- With odds-on favorite Prairie Fortune
breaking in the stretch after sustaining first-over pressure for a joint lead,
McKenzie's Star ($9.80) was able to circle the field en route to a 1:58.1
victory over sloppy going in Saturday (May 21) evening's featured $8,500
top-level trot at Tioga Downs.
Fern Paquet, Jr. retreated to the tail of the field with the
6-year-old Donato Hanover mare, waiting until pacesetter Warrawee Preferred
(Jim Taggart, Jr.) faced pressure from Prairie Fortune (Jim Meittinis) on
approach to the final turn before vacating the pegs. McKenzie's Star made
gradual gains after fractions of :28.4, :58.3, and 1:27.1, working closer on the
turn before a three-wide bid by Dream Rocker (Aaron Byron) carried her
four-deep in the stretch. McKenzie's Star circled the field, drawing off to
defeat Dream Rocker by a length, while the worn-down Warrawee Preferred was a
farther half length back in third.
Trainer Allie Berube co-owns McKenzie's Star with Jerry
Clark.
Paquet led all drivers with three wins on the nine-race
card, while John Cummings, Jr. tallied two triumphs.
Live racing returns to Tioga Downs on Sunday (May 22)
afternoon, with the first of 13 races due off at 1:30 p.m. Eastern time.
