Taking advantage of a pocket trip, Lauxmont Capri ($16.40) scored an upset win in Sunday (July 12) afternoon's $14,000 Open Pace at Tioga Downs, kicking clear at will for a 1:53 score.
The five-year-old Red River Hanover gelding pushed the pace up the pegs, stringing out U Belong To Me (Jim Marohn Jr.) through a :26.4 first quarter before easing back to the pocket. The two remained uncontested through the middle half, as first-over challenger Prairie Jaguar (Jim Meittinis) could only get to within three lengths of the lead at any point of the race. As he faded off the far turn, Jim Taggart Jr. angled Lauxmont Capri--with clear sailing all the while--out of the pocket, vaulting clear upon cornering. U Belong To Me was devoid of any response, fading sharply through the stretch. As Lauxmont Capri drew off in the final sixteenth, Electrofire (Mike Simons) emerged from traffic up the inside, just collaring the tracking Hunchie (Corey Braden) for second, two and three-quarter lengths in arrears of the winner. Western Trademark (Aaron Byron) rallied from the back of the pack, gaining down the grandstand side to take fourth.
Gary Messenger trains Lauxmont Capri for owners Scott Woogen and Brenda Messenger.
While Taggart earned top honours in the day's featured event, Aaron Byron and Jim Marohn Jr. were the driving stars on the 10-race card, each recording three victories. Byron prevailed in partnership with St Lads Lotto ($4.10, 1:52.2), An Officers Duty ($7.20, 1:54.1), and Elite Awards ($12.40, 1:52.3), while Marohn teamed up with Special Joe ($4.10, 1:52.3), Smellthecolornine ($6.70, 1:53.1), and Retail ($26.00, 1:51.4).
Live racing returns to Tioga Downs on Friday (July 17) evening, with the first race due to begin at 6:15 p.m. Eastern time.
(Tioga Downs)