Driver Aaron Byron had the hot hands at Tioga Downs on Friday (August 22), taking five of the evening's 10 races. Among his triumphs was a 1:52.1 win in the $15,000 Mares Open Handicap Pace with Inittowinafortune ($6.20).
After establishing the lead with the four-year-old Cams Fortune mare, Byron yielded to the pocket, allowing Southwind Trini (Jim Meittinis) to set steady fractions of :27.3, :56 and 1:24. With the first-over De Vins Girl (John Cummings Jr.) fading on the approach to the far turn and even-money favourite Pan Luis Obispo (Vinny Ginsburg) commencing a three-wide bid off stalled cover, Byron was able to wedge out of the pocket with Inittowinafortune. The Michael Russo trainee struck the front in the final sixteenth, driven clear to a one and a half length win over Southwind Trini. Pan Luis Obispo stayed on for third.
Byron also teamed up with Odds On Aventure (1:54), Belle Boyd (1:53.3), Shutthefrontdoor (1:54.1), and Rompaway Brandon (1:57.1) to complete his quintet of wins on the evening.
(Tioga Downs)