by Michael Chamberlain, Tioga Downs Publicity
Rock N Load (Rocknroll Hanover-Loch Laggan) made a strong
drive through the stretch in the $14,000 featured pace at Tioga Downs on
Saturday night to extend her winning streak to three. Rock N Load (John
Cummings Jr.) had to sit the pocket trip for the majority of the mile behind
Inittowinafortune (Mike Simons), who stormed into the lead the first time the
field passed the grandstand. The early fractions were very solid, in fact, with
a time of 27 seconds for the quarter, 56.2 for the half, and 1:24.3 for
three-quarters. As the field entered the stretch for the final time. Rock N
Load moved into the clear and not only went past Inittowinafortune, she went on
to win by two lengths in a final time of 1:52.3. Antigua Hanover (Brandon
Simpson) also finished well to get up for third, going past Southwind Trini
(Jim Marohn Jr.), whose first-over move stalled on the final turn. The
complete order of finish for the Saturday feature was: Rock N Load,
Inittowinafortune, Antigua Hanover, Southwind Trini, UF Dragon's Queen, Clear
View Hanover, and Ideal Ginny. Rock N Load is owned by Edward Hall of
Lebanon, Connecticut and James R. Hall Jr. of South Windsor, Connecticut. The
trainer is Daniel Gill.
Saturday at Tioga Downs also featured two divisions of the
M&J Oil & Lube Pacing Series. The first division was carded
as the fifth race and was won by Happy Apples (American Ideal-Island Blush).
This was the first half of a sweep of both divisions by driver Corey Braden.
Happy Apples had to rally past Status Warrior (Jim Marohn Jr.). Status Warrior
was a stubborn leader throughout the race and turned away one challenge from
Evil Fight (Sean Bier) on the final turn, but was unable to withstand the
eventual winner in the final quarter. The time for the first division was
1:54.2. Happy Apples is owned by Richard Carney of Hartsdale, New York and
Barbara Berger of Middletown, New York. The trainer is John Berger.
The second division of the M&J Oil & Lube
Pacing Series was carded as the tenth race and featured a dominant performance
by Jets Are On (Jereme's Jet-Turn It On), who now has a three-race win streak
of her own to boast about. Corey Braden finished off the sweep and
these two wins were part of an impressive four-win night for the
driver. After being parked outside in mid-pack through the first quarter, Jets
Are On lived up to her name and turned the jets on to take the lead and
she never looked back after that. She went on to win by four lengths in a final
time of 1:53.4. Jets Are On is owned by S&P Racing Stable LLC of Chicago, Illinois
and trained by Luanne Case.
Live racing at Tioga Downs will continue on Sunday afternoon
with a 13-race program starting at 1:30pm.
