Driver Braxten Boyd made it a 10-win weekend at Tioga Downs as the "Michigan Missile" scored five victories for the second card in a row during the 12-race slate on Sunday, June 14.
Boyd guided Th Ollie ($8.38) to a maiden-breaking win in the opener, oversaw Sun Of A Show's ($5) second straight win in the third race, won the fifth with Belmont Royale N ($3.76) and sixth with Aces Or Bettor ($4.96), and took his final win with a dominant Red Right Hand ($2.44) in the eighth. The 2025 Dan Patch Rising Star Award winner shot up in Tioga standings with the outstanding weekend, coming from eight wins back of leader Jim Pantaleano (who won three races on Sunday) to now be one win off the front. The reinsman is coming off back-to-back 337-win seasons, and has racked up 163 in 991 starts in 2026.
Flag Party chased down Matai Phil N from the pocket to take the $22,917 Open Pace. Flag Party, driven by Joe Chindano Jr., led to the quarter in :26.1, then released Matai Phil N (Boyd), who took over control with a lap to go and was first to the half in :54. Cruzin America (Mike Merton) made a challenge for the lead heading down the backstretch, racing at the leader's wheel at three-quarters in 1:21.3, but Matai Phil N shook him off turning for home. Flag Party then popped out of the pocket and went by Matai Phil N by 1-1/4 lengths to get the win in a lifetime best of 1:50.1. Federer (Colin Kelly) finished third.
Flag Party, a five-year-old gelding by Stag Party-Sassafras Girl, has won two straight Tioga Opens for trainer Jennina Shaw. He is owned by Jeff Savidge, Michael DeSaye, Richard DiMaio and Chindano. He is now 18-for-63 lifetime. The win price was $10.22.
Tioga Downs hosts its next card on Friday, June 19, starting at 6:15 p.m.
(With files from Tioga Downs; photo of Braxten Boyd at Woodbine Mohawk Park in 2025)