The first round of the Rags To Riches series got underway on Sunday afternoon at Tioga Downs, with four divisions on tap leading up to next week’s semi-finals
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In the first division My Wicked Willie and Jason Bartlett used an off the pace tactic to win in 1:53.3. Mark Kesmodel trains the 10-year old son of Village Connection for Joseph Davine of Clarksburg, NJ. Longshot Eagle South got up for second, with False Alarm finishing third.
Scotts Rolls Royce and Jimmy Whisman took home the second division in a new seasonal mark of 1:52.4. Whisman swung Scotts Rolls Royce four wide off the last turn and scored the ninth win of the year for the seven-year old gelding. Hobby Art Benka was second best with Derek Bromac N third.
Mcardles Charm and Mark Gingrich took down the third division and posted the fastest time in doing so with a 1:52.3 front end victory. Bucky Angle Jr. trains the four-year old son of Mcardle for Charles Harvey Jr. It was the second win in fifteen seasonal starts for Mcardles Charm, who defeated Boundless Honor and Classic Patrol.
The fourth and final division posted the slowest time of the four events, and was won by 20-1 longshot Camsurge and Kevin Hough. It was a wall of horses at the wire as three lengths covered the first eight finishers. The mile of 1:54.4 established the first victory of the season for Camsurge who is trained by Ron Cushing for Cybill Beaudoin. After Life was second best and Rickards Ed rounded out the top three.
Tioga Downs is hosting a special Wednesday afternoon card on June 10 with a post time of 1:30 p.m. For more information on Tioga Downs visit www.tiogadowns.com.
(Tioga Downs)