Sports Bettor and driver Tyler Miller kicked off the second leg of the King Of Klaims Series for claiming pacers with a $15,000 tag at Tioga Downs on Friday evening (May 19).
Sports Bettor took the lead just before hitting the quarter in :28.1 and continued to front the field to the half in :58.3. Foo Fighter N (Bruce Aldrich Jr.) was first to make a move down the backstretch advancing from an early four-hole and he grabbed a short lead at three-quarters in 1:25.4. As they reached the stretch, Sports Bettor battled back. Second-place finisher Sports Box (Ridge Warren) came flying late, but couldn’t get to Sports Bettor, who won the $10,000 division in 1:55 flat. Freds Night (Aaron Byron) finished third.
Sports Bettor is an 11-year-old gelding by Sportswriter. He is owned by Rocco Stebbins and trained by Joe “Scooter” Skowyra. The win was his first of the season from 13 starts and he now has 32 career victories. Sports Bettor returned $14.40 to win.
The other divisions in this series were won by even-money favourite Blacklight ($4) in 1:53.4 with Ridge Warren driving for trainer Daniel Renaud and Stellar BB ($12.60), who caught favourite Sgt Pappa Daddy at the finish line in 1:54.3 for driver Luke Hanners and conditioner Kevin Reynolds Jr.
The $20,000 series final is scheduled for next Friday, May 26.
Live harness racing resumes at Tioga on Saturday with a 10-race card starting at 6:15 p.m.
(With files from Tioga Downs)