The Chris Ryder-trained stakes winner World Of Wishes took the $19,178 Open Handicap Pace in his Tioga Downs debut on Sunday, May 17.

Driver Braxten Boyd worked out a perfect pocket trip for the four-year-old Bettors Wish-Peak Of Chic gelding, who battled past last week's popular winner Saulsbrook Victor (Brett MacDonald) off panels of :26.3, :54.1 and 1:21.1 for the neck victory, equalling his lifetime mark of 1:49.2. Livonjaxandqueens (Greg Merton) rounded out the top three, finishing 2-1/2 lengths behind.

World Of Wishes, who has been racing at Pocono Downs most recently, improved to 3-2-1 in nine seasonal starts. He now has nine career wins from 33 races and went over the $200,000 mark in earnings for owner Philip Steinberg of Weston, Florida.

The Tioga invader paid $9.16 to win as the 5-2 second choice.

Boyd led all drivers with four wins during the afternoon's 12-race program.

Live harness racing returns to Tioga Downs next Saturday, May 23, starting at 6:15 p.m.

(Standardbred Canada with files from Tioga Downs)