Nichols, N.Y. -- Oldford Racing, LLC's Stratocaster ($7.60)
worked to fend off pressure though the far turn in Sunday (July 17) afternoon's
featured Open 2 Pace at Tioga Downs, subsequently edging clear of a belated
rally from Dee's Rocketman to prevail by 1-3/4 lengths.
John Cummings, Jr. floated forward with the 5-year-old
Rocknroll Hanover entire, letting Winyard Hanover (Jim Meittinis) clear from
post 9 through a :27 first quarter before pushing to the fore with a circuit
remaining in the one-mile event. Stratocaster subsequently faced stern pressure
on the backstretch from the first-over Vangura (Corey Braden), who forced a :56
middle half. Stratocaster repelled that challenge off the corner, sprinting off
as Dee's Rocketman (Fern Paquet, Jr.) mounted a late charge off third-over
positioning. Stratocaster's lead was never threatened in the straight, and he
went on to a convincing 1:52 victory. Dee's Rocketman charged into second,
while an all-out Winyard Hanover checked in a beleaguered third from the
pocket. Favorite Rollin Ring Afire (Jim Marohn, Jr.) failed to fire from a
second-over trip, finishing eighth in the field of nine.
Allen Sisco trains Stratocaster, now a 23-time winner.
For Cummings, the driving win was one of three on the 13-race card. Jim Marohn,
Jr. also recorded a hat trick on the afternoon.
Buoyed by the defeat of two odds-on favorites in the day's
first five races, the 50¢ Pick 5 returned $557.75.
Live racing returns to Tioga on Friday (July 22) evening,
with post time slated for 6:30 p.m. Eastern.
