Brookroad Knight and Corey Braden captured Saturday night’s $16,000 Open Handicap Trot at Tioga Downs, and they did so in come-from-behind fashion.
Leaving from Post 2 in a field scratched down to eight, Brookroad Knight got away fifth while Aruba Vacation led the field to the quarter in :27.3. Brookroad Knight tipped out and was second-over behind the favourite In Your Room as the field went by the half-mile point in a :57-second clip.
Down the backside, Aruba Vacation kicked into gear to try and step away from the field through a third panel in :27.4 reaching three quarters in 1:24.4. Around the final turn Aruba Vacation could not put away the challengers and Braden swung Brookroad Knight three high off of cover and swopped the field to win by 2-1/2 lengths in 1:54.3. The mile was a new seasonal best for the four-year old son of CR Excalibur–Questionable Lady. Aruba Vacation was second, with In Your Room finishing third.
Bruce Borden trains Brookroad Knight for owner/breeder John O’Connor of Port Chester, NY. The 12-time winner has banked more than $276,000 to date.
(Tioga Downs)