Nichols, N.Y. -- Trainer Joe Skowyra and driver Mike Simons
swept the pacing features on Saturday (August 20) evening at Tioga Downs,
teaming up with Believe This Bob ($4.20) in the featured $13,000 Open 1 Pace
and Flying Cowboy ($4.30) in the sub-featured $10,000 Open 2 Pace.
Believe This Bob avenged his defeat to Andreios Kardia in
last week's Open 1 successfully, sprinting to a clear lead from Pop Cop (Scott
Coulter) on approach to the first turn and controlling the pace through splits
of :27.2, :56, and 1:23.2. The 8-year-old Beach Romeo gelding edged clear off
the far turn, evading steady first-over gains from runner-up Andreios Kardia
(Corey Braden) by 1-3/4 lengths in 1:51. Pop Cop faded to third after laboring
from the pocket.
Mary Ann Larrimore owns 38-time winner Believe This Bob, a
winner in four of his last six races.
Flying Cowboy used similar tactics early on in the
sub-featured event, pushing clear of Winyard Hanover (Jim Meittinis) through the
first turn before rating a leisurely :58 half mile. The 6-year-old Brandon's
Cowboy gelding responded well to heavy first-over pressure from Vangura (Corey
Braden), digging in following a :26.4 third quarter to repel Vangura and hold
sway of Winyard Hanover by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:52.1. Major War (Mike Merton)
mounted a mild rally off stalling cover to save third.
Wade Wyatt owns Flying Cowboy, a 31-time winner who posted a
fourth consecutive victory.
Live racing returns to Tioga Downs on Sunday (August 21),
with a 14-race card due to commence at 1:30 p.m. Eliminations for the pacing
divisions of the Empire Breeders Classic take center stage along with New York
Sire Stakes events for 2-year-old trotting colts and geldings.
