Nichols, N.Y. -- Mary Ann Larrimore's Believe This Bob
($5.80) enjoyed a pocket trip en route to a lifetime-best 1:49.4 victory in
Sunday (July 24) afternoon's featured $11,000 Open 1 Handicap Pace at Tioga
Downs.
The 8-year-old Beach Romeo gelding ceded the lead to 7-5
favorite Fireyourguns (Jim Meittinis) in the first 100 yards, enjoying a cozy
pocket trip through splits of :26.2 and :55.1. On the backstretch, Believe This
Bob found himself boxed as Piece of the Rock (Vinny Ginsburg) sustained
first-over pressure to force a :27.2 third quarter. Fireyourguns responded in
kind to turn aside Piece of the Rock at head-stretch, but Mike Simons was able
to angle Believe This Bob out of the pocket to give chase upon cornering.
Ultimately, Believe This Bob lifted to the lead in the final yards, collaring
Fireyourguns by half a length. Lauxmont Capri (Jim Taggart, Jr.) stayed on for
third off a traffic-troubled stalking trip, another 1-1/2 lengths back.
Joe Skowyra trains Believe This Bob, now a 37-time winner
and a winner in four of his last six Open events in the Southern Tier.
No one hit the 50¢ Pick 5, resulting in a carryover of
$556.05 to Friday (July 29) evening's card. First post is set for 6:30
p.m. Eastern.
