Nichols, N.Y. -- Fresh off a 15-1 upset in a $55,503
Pennsylvania Sire Stakes event at Pocono, Hititoutofthepark ($8.30) rose to
chase down older company in Saturday (June 25) evening's $11,000 Open 1 Trot at
Tioga Downs.
Mike Simons took his time with the 3-year-old Yankee Glide
ridgling, settling well off a :27.3 first quarter Dragin the Wagon (Aaron
Byron) and working closer through a :58.1 half. With three-eighths to go,
Simons chased the first-over Oh No Three O (Jeff Long), towed significantly
closer through the far turn before readying to make a three-wide push for home.
"He came right off the gate nice and handy, followed
live cover, and when I called on him, he just pinned his ears and dug in,"
commented Simons on the 8-time winner. "He's a real professional."
Hititoutofthepark accelerated upon cornering, passing the
stalled Oh No Three O with little effort, and subsequently chasing down Dragin
the Wagon for a narrow 1:55.2 triumph. Six Bax (Jim Taggart) stayed on for
third off a cozy pocket trip.
John Butenschoen trains Hititoutofthepark for the Give It a
Shot Stable, Kurt Welling, and the VIP Internet Stable.
For Simons, the win was one of five in the bike on the
10-race card. In addition to his trainee Talktomecourage N ($4.70, 1:54.1) in
the seventh, Simons teamed up with Undercover Bro ($5.20, 1:56.1), Alaskan
Seelster ($12.80, 1:54), and Justherighttouch ($9.20, 1:56.2).
No one hit the 50¢ Pick 5, resulting in a carryover to
Sunday (June 26) afternoon's card of $1,143.61. The Pick 5 kicks off in the first
of 11 races, with post time set for 1:30 p.m. Eastern.
