Western New York pacing stalwart Fireyourguns made his 2016 debut at Tioga Downs a winning one, blazing a :26.4 third quarter up the backstretch en route to a 1:51 pillar-to-post win in the featured $11,000 Open Pace on Memorial Day.
Aaron Byron sent the seven-year-old American Ideal gelding to a clear lead, forcing last week's Open winner Nitro Seelster (Tom Jackson) into the pocket before controlling fractions of :27, :56.1, and 1:23. After his dynamic third-quarter blitz, Fireyourguns worked clear by three lengths at head-stretch and left his rivals fully extended in pursuit. Meanwhile, Byron only mildly encouraged Fireyourguns to keep to task, winning comfortably by a diminishing length. Nitro Seelster held second from Knocking Around (John Cummings, Jr.), who sustained first-over gains off the far turn to take third.
Trainer Terence McClory co-owns Fireyourguns with Jennifer and Robert Lowe. The pacer paid $3.70 to win.
The win was one of three for Byron on the nine-race card, who also swept the early double with Major Player ($3.50, 1:54.1) and Andreios Kardia ($10.20, 1:52.4).
The 50¢ Pick 5 was hit, returning $153.00 with no winner in the sequence longer than 4.1-1. By contrast, the corresponding win parlay would have returned $66.19 on every 50¢ staked.
Racing returns to Tioga Downs on Friday evening, with first post at 6:30 p.m.
(Tioga Downs)