Glossy N and Billy Dobson truly pulled off the Rags To Riches story in the $75,000 Final of the Rags To Riches on Sunday afternoon at Tioga Downs
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The 11-year-old Holmes Hanover gelding just barely qualified for the Final, as he was the fastest fifth place finisher between the two semi-final rounds. He also hadn’t won a race in 18 starts on the year prior to the Final, but pulled off the major upset going for $75,000.
Dobson took Glossy N off the gate and settled in eighth as the field battled through fractions of :27, :54.4, and 1:23.3. Dobson setup in the three-wide flow through the final turn, and edged out five-wide at the top of the stretch to win by a half a length in 1:54, and as he came through the wire, Dobson gave a fist pump of excitement after capturing the Rags To Riches Final.
Glossy N and Billy Dobson rewarded their backers as they were the longest shot on the board at 67-1, returning $137.50.
“The early speed in the race really helped us out today,” said Billy Dobson in the winner’s circle following the victory.
Escape Attack and Anthony Napolitano finished second, while Richard Silverman and My Wicked Willie got up for third.
It was the first win of the season in 19 starts for Glossy N, who is owned and trained by Ismailaki Kazani of Jackson, New Jersey.
Fort Benning and Mike Simons remained undefeated in the Belltone Hearing Center Trot by winning the second leg of the series. Simons let the favourite I Know Magic and Jimmy Marohn Jr. cut fractions of :29.2, :59.1, and 1:27.3 before setting up to challenge in the stretch.
The four-year old Donerail – Dream Of Power gelding trotted past the leader in the stretch to win in 1:56.4.
Fort Benning is trained by Phil Fluet for owners Steven Salerno and Harry Nieberg, and has stamped himself one of the favourites for next week’s $42,200 Final on Sunday, June 28th.
(Tioga Downs)