The Downtown Bus charged late to win a leg of the Graduate Series for four-year-old pacers at Tioga Downs on Sunday (June 10). The five-eighths Nichols, NY oval played host to two divisions of the Graduate Series for both pacers and trotters. All divisions raced for a purse of $50,000.
In the first division for pacers all eyes were on the two favourites, Courtly Choice and Lather Up. But it was The Downtown Bus who stole the show.
The Downtown Bus went straight to the lead and hit the first quarter is :26.0. Courtly Choice then took over as they went by the stands for the first time and led at the halfway point in :54. Lather Up went first over as they headed around the second turn and pressured Courtly Choice all the way through the backstretch. Courtly Choice still had the lead as they reached three-quarters in 1:20.0. By the time they got to the stretch he had put away Lather Up.
The Downtown Bus, who is owned by trainer Jeffrey Gillis and Ellen Ott, followed in the pocket seat for the whole trip. He found an opening on the inside and squeezed by just before hitting the finish line in a career best of 1:48.2. Courtly Choice settled for second and Lather Up managed to hold on for third.
The Downtown Bus is a four-year-old gelding by Mach Three. It was his third win this season and his 14th victory overall. Tim Tetrick drove the $25.20 winner.
Late-moving Backstreet Shadow won the second division of Graduate Series for pacers.
This Is The Plan went straight to the lead and put up fractions of :26.2, :55.1 and 1:21.1. Backstreet Shadow, who is owned by William Hartt and trained by Scott Di Domenico, was second over going around the last turn and went three wide in the stretch to go by and win in 1:49.1. This Is The Plan held on for second while Done Well finished third.
Backstreet Shadow is a four-year-old gelding by Shadow Play. He collected his fourth win this season and 11th victory overall. Tim Tetrick drove the $10.00 winner.
Custom Cantab won the first division of the Graduate Series for trotters.
Custom Cantab went to the lead before hitting the first quarter mark in :28.0. She stayed in control to led to a half of :57.3. Muscle M Up went first over and the two battled around the final turn with Custom Cantab hanging on to the lead and hitting three-quarters in 1:24.2.
Custom Cantab, who is owned by Knutsson Trotting Inc. and trained by Svanstedt, dug down deep in the stretch and won in a lifetime best of 1:52.4. Muscle M Up was second best with Mississippi Storm getting third.
Custom Cantab is a four-year-old mare by Mr Cantab. She collected her first win of 2019 and her 16th victory overall. David Miller drove the $5.40 winner.
Crystal Fashion hung on to capture the second division of the Graduate series for trotters.
Crystal Fashion Put up all the fractions, leading in :28.3, :58.1 and 1:26.1. He battled Fiftydallarbill all around the final turn before Fiftydallarbill actually stuck a head in front in the stretch.
Crystal Fashion, who is owned by Fashion Farms LLC and trained by Jim Campbell, found another gear and won in 1:53.3. Fiftydallarbill was second best. Six Pack was trapped in the pocket and had to settle for third.
Crystal Fashion is four-year-old gelding by Cantab Hall. It was his second win in 2019. He now owns 15 victories overall. Tim Tetrick drove the $7.40 winner.
Tim Tetrick drove five winners on the day including three Graduate Series races. His other two wins came with Captain Deo ($2.50) and Manofmanyimages ($10.20).
Tioga Downs returns to live racing with a special Monday matinee June 10 featuring two divisions of the New York Sire Stakes for three-year-old pacing fillies. The 14-race card starts at 1 p.m.
(with files from Tioga Downs)