Fresh off a 15-1 upset in a $55,503 Pennsylvania Sire Stakes event at Pocono, Hititoutofthepark ($8.30) rose to chase down older company in Saturday (June 25) evening's $11,000 Open 1 Trot at Tioga Downs.
Mike Simons took his time with the three-year-old Yankee Glide ridgling, settling well off a :27.3 first quarter Dragin The Wagon (Aaron Byron) and working closer through a :58.1 half. With three-eighths to go, Simons chased the first-over Oh No Three O (Jeff Long), towed significantly closer through the far turn before readying to make a three-wide push for home.
"He came right off the gate nice and handy, followed live cover, and when I called on him, he just pinned his ears and dug in," commented Simons on the eight-time winner. "He's a real professional."
Hititoutofthepark accelerated upon cornering, passing the stalled Oh No Three O with little effort, and subsequently chasing down Dragin The Wagon for a narrow 1:55.2 triumph. Six Bax (Jim Taggart) stayed on for third off a cozy pocket trip.
John Butenschoen trains Hititoutofthepark for the Give It A Shot Stable, Kurt Welling, and the VIP Internet Stable.
For Simons, the win was one of five in the bike on the 10-race card. In addition to his trainee Talktomecourage N ($4.70, 1:54.1) in the seventh, Simons teamed up with Undercover Bro ($5.20, 1:56.1), Alaskan Seelster ($12.80, 1:54), and Justherighttouch ($9.20, 1:56.2).
No one hit the 50-cent Pick 5, resulting in a carryover to Sunday (June 26) afternoon's card of $1,143.61. The Pick 5 kicks off in the first of 11 races, with post time set for 1:30 p.m. Eastern.
(Tioga Downs)