For the second consecutive week, Ontario-bred Mach It A Par ($5.00) passed every rival she faced, circling her four Open II rivals on Friday (May 29) evening at Tioga Downs.
The featured $10,000 distaff saw Stormunn (Aaron Byron) cross and clear from her outside post on approach to the first turn, but she faced steady pressure from the first-over Jets Are On (Corey Braden) after a :56.2 half-mile. The two duelled on the backstretch, but Stormunn responded well to her challenger, edging clear on the far turn. Meanwhile, Dan Clements angled Mach It A Par three-wide to follow -- and ultimately overtake -- the cover of even-money favourite Addys Way (Mike Simons). With the latter unable to advance from a stalled Jets Are On, Mach It A Par began to progress just outside the eighth pole, closing stoutly upon straightening for home. Her late kick proved just enough, as she just defeated Stormunn on the line in 1:52.2. K Js Caroline (Jim Taggart Jr.) held third off a pocket trip.
Clements owns 10-time winner Mach It A Par, and Renaldo Morales III trains the five-year-old Mach Three mare.
Live racing resumes at Tioga on Sunday afternoon, with the first of 10 races slated for 1:30 p.m. Eastern time.
(With files from Tioga Downs)