Under pressure from Mc Taylor on the far turn, Edward and James Hall's Rock N Load ($3.40) dug in at head-stretch, prevailing against five rivals in the $14,000 Miracle Mile 1 event for distaff pacers on Friday (May 9) evening at Tioga Downs.
Aaron Byron floated clear on the first turn with the six-year-old Rocknroll Hanover mare, yielding the lead to Southwind Trini (Jim Marohn Jr.) after a sensible :28.1 first quarter. Just upon settling into the pocket, Rock N Load was back on the move, reclaiming the top position with a circuit to go before bracing for the first over Mc Taylor on the backstretch. The two duelled through the far turn with the pace quickening before the Daniel Gill-trained Rock N Load kicked away off the corner, prevailing for a strong 1-1/4 length win over Mc Taylor in 1:53.1 over a fast track. Southwind Trini was all-out from the pocket to hold third.
Byron's winning ways didn't stop after the opener. He also took the sub-featured $9,000 Miracle Mile 2 distaff pace with Sinspirational in 1:53.1, along with a sweep of the late double, driving Typical Newyorker (1:59.2) and Canaco Star (1:55) to seal a four-win night.
Live racing resumes at Tioga Downs on Saturday evening, with an 11-race card kicking off at 6:15 p.m. EDT.
(Tioga Downs)