Wings Of Royalty, driven by Mike Simons, set a new track record for an aged trotting horse at Tioga Downs winning the $12,000 Open in 1:53.2 on Saturday night (May 13).
In his season's debut, Wings of Royalty ($4.90) was fourth at the :57.2 halfway point going first-over. The five-year-old horse by RC Royalty swooped by pacesetter Dragin The Wagin (Aaron Byron) and had the lead before the 1:24.3 three-quarters mark. Owned by Raymond Campbell and trained by George Ducharme, Wings Of Royalty won the Open by four and a quarter lengths and pushed his bankroll over the $600,000 mark in the process. Upfront Billy (Tom Jackson) finished second with Sweet Thing (Fern Paquet Jr.) third.
Simons also won race two with Law Of Attraction ($42.60), race four with Sarcastic Man ($5.30), and race eight with Warhorse ($3.30).
Racing resumes Sunday (May 14) at Tioga Downs with a 13-race card starting at 1 p.m. All mothers will get a free rose while supplies last for Mother's Day.
(With files from Tioga Downs)