Making his first start at Tioga Downs since his career debut three years ago, five-year-old gelding Hunting Zone was victorious in the Sunday afternoon feature, $15,278 conditioned pace.
Sent postward as the 8-5 popular choice in his Tioga return, Hunting Zone cleared to command after being parked through a :26 opening panel for driver Tyler Miller and led unopposed to the half in :54.1 and three-quarters in 1:22.2 with first-quarter leader Komodo Beach (Colin Kelly) left chasing two lengths behind as the winner found more in the lane and hit the wire in 1:51.3. Intimidation (Ridge Warren) rallied from the back of the six-horse field to show.
Hunting Zone has now won four of 15 seasonal starts for his current connections, trainer Jeff Cullipher and owner Pollack Racing, while banking $63,883. Lifetime, the Huntsville-Smart Zone gelding has earned a dozen victories and $228,431.
Live harness racing returns to Tioga Downs on Friday, May 16, with a post time of 6:15 p.m.
(With files from Tioga Downs)