Nichols, N.Y. -- Shutthefrontdoor ($11.40) sustained
first-over gains en route to a second consecutive Open level win at Tioga
Downs, using the same tactics in Friday (July 8) evening's $11,000 feature at
Tioga Downs as she did the week prior.
Dan Clements made his push to the fore with the 5-year-old
Well Said mare after K J's Caroline (Jim Taggart, Jr.) achieved the lead,
pressing the pace without the aid of cover after a :57.2 first half mile.
Shutthefrontdoor forced a :27 third quarter before subsequently wearing down K
J's Caroline at head-stretch, driven to a three-quarters length victory over in
1:52.3 in a virtual carbon copy of her first-over defeat of Irish Bride the
week prior. K J's Caroline was a valiant second, while Irish Bride (Fern Paquet,
Jr.) held third off a loose pocket trip, chasing the dueling leaders through
the far turn.
Trainer Mike Sinclair co-owns 14-time winner
Shutthefrontdoor with Guy Beaulieu and Richard Villeneuve.
Clements, Sinclair with hat tricks
The featured win with Shutthefrontdoor was the cornerstone
of a driving hat trick for Clements and a training triple for Sinclair on the
evening's 13-race card. Clements also teamed up with Mike's Powerhouse ($2.40,
1:53.4) and Heather ($24.00, 1:55.3), while Sinclair trainees Rossini ($13.80,
1:54.1) and Ulster Hanover ($6.40, 1:54.1) also proved victorious.
Live racing returns to Tioga Downs on Sunday (July 10)
afternoon with a 15-race card due off at 1:30 p.m. A trio of New York Sire
Stakes events for 3-year-old trotting fillies share the spotlight on the
afternoon, with Empire Breeders Classic winner Non Stick (race 4, Åke
Svanstedt) and Swinging Royalty (race 6, Chris Lems) among the 21 sophomores to
vie for a combined $121,800 in purses.
