The best 3 year old pacers in New York took center stage at Tioga on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. Two divisions of the NYSS and five divisions of the Excelsior were on display.
The 1st division of the
NYSS featured Fool Me Once as the bettors 1/5 choice and he did not disappoint.
Sent to the front by regular pilot Scott Zeron, the Mark Austin trained son of
Art Major-Fool That I Am rolled thru fractions of 26.4, 55.3 and 1:22. Second
choice Sir Cary’s Z Tam sat in the pocket waiting for an opportunity to pounce
in the stretch but was only able to get to the wheel of Fool Me Once right as
they crossed the wire in 1:50.2. Fool Me Once came into today undefeated in
NYSS events and was 4th in the standings with half as many starts as
those above him. The win was his 7th in 9 starts in 2013 pushing his
lifetime earnings to just above $375,000.
In the second of two NYSS events,
Bet The Moon made a little bobble behind the gate but was able to overcome it
quickly to settle in 2nd behind Mark MacDonald and Source Of Pride
thru a spirited opening quarter of 26.1. Jim Morill, Jr. and Bet The Moon
waited patiently in the pocket as Source Of Pride rolled the field past the
half in 55 flat before sprinting down the backside to a three quarter in
1:21.4, a 26.4 third quarter. From there the duel was on as Morrill pulled Bet
The Moon from the pocket and up to challenge Source Of Pride. Bet The Moon
looked like he was going to roll right past and clear the leader but Source Of
Pride dug in and fought back to exchange the lead a few times thru the stretch.
When they reached the wire, Bet The Moon placed his head in front and stopped
the timer in 1:50 flat. The Bettor’s Delight-Sun N Moon son won for the 2nd
time in 2 weeks at Tioga for trainer Ron Burke after last week capturing a
division of the Tompkins-Geers. He may be putting his Tioga win streak on the
line next week as he is one of several of today’s NYSS horses that are eligible
for the rich Empire Breeders Classic, a New York bred race for 3 year olds.
Eliminations are next Sunday and the final 2 weeks away.
Also on the card were five
divisions of the Excelsior Series for NY-breds. The winners of those events
were Royce Blue Chip (1:52.2), Leap Of Faith (1:53.3), Pull The Ripcord
(1:54.3), Bettorsluckystreak (1:53.3), and Militia Man (1:52.4).
New York Sire Stakes action
continues Monday night at Tioga with 2 year old pacing fillies.
Post time is
set at 6:50pm. For more information on Tioga Downs please visit us online at www.tiogadowns.com.
