Stonebridge Reef, driven by Tyler Miller, won the $16,438 Winners Over Handicap Pace in his Tioga Downs debut on Sunday, June 8.
BB Lucky Boy (Braxten Boyd) went straight to the front in a :26.4 quarter before backing down the pace to the half in :56.2. He was prompted to pick it up again as Livonjaxandqueens (Colin Kelly) went first-up down the backstretch and challenged to three-quarters in 1:22.3. But as they reached the stretch, pocket-sitter Stonebridge Reef rushed three-wide and blew right on by to win in 1:51.2 by 3-1/4 lengths. Primo Uomo (Warren Ridge) was flying late from the back of the six-pack to finish second over another closer, Little Willy (Aaron Byron), and Livonjaxandqueens.
Stonebridge Reef, a seven-year-old son of Somebeachsomewhere out of Rock N Soul, is trained by Jeff Cullipher and owned by Pollack Racing. He earned his fifth win of the year from 13 starts, pushing his seasonal earnings over $50,000.
Stonebridge Reef paid $4.40 to win as the bettors' choice.
Live harness racing resumes at Tioga Downs on Friday, June 13, with a post time of 6:15 p.m.
(With files from Tioga Downs)