Major Look, fresh off of her Mistletoe Shalee win over world champion American Jewel, returned to action on Sunday afternoon at Tioga Downs in the Tompkins-Geers.
The overwhelming favourite did not disappoint her supporters as she carved the mile out for herself putting up fractions of :27, :54.3, and 1:21.4 before drawing away from the field with ease in a new stakes record of 1:49.3.
The mile was just a fifth of a second off of the track record for three-year-old filly pacers, held by See You At Peelers. This was the second straight sub-1:50 performance by the three-year-old daughter of Art Major and Band Of Emeralds, who is owned in partnership by Joseph Balkunas, Mark Giordano, and Anthony Pancella. Kevin McDermott took over the training just a few weeks ago for his friend and trainer, Robert Riddle, who was injured at the barn while working with Major Look.
“I just took over training her a couple weeks ago after Major Look had injured Bob [former trainer Robert Riddle] around the barn. She is a very, very special filly, and Gregory [driver Jeff Gregory] said when he asked her at the top of the stretch today she took right off. Her next start will be next Saturday afternoon in the Adio Volo at The Meadows,” said McDermott in the winner’s circle.
Steelhead Hanover and Joe Pavia Jr. posted the fastest mile for the three-year-old pacing colts in the first of two divisions on Sunday afternoon. Pavia moved Steelhead Hanover at the quarter and went on to hold off Forever Just (Jason Bartlett) from the pocket to win in 1:50. The mile established a new lifetime mark for the son of Bettors Delight and Special Beauty for the partnership of Agc Stables, Dijo Racing, Joseph Barbera, and Steven Held.
Capturing the other divisions of Tompkins-Geers were: three-year-old filly pacer Marinade Hanover and Sam Schillaci (1:52.3) and three-year-old pacing colt Bet On The Law and Pavia Jr. (1:51.3).
Mark Ford trainee Home Again Dragon won the afternoon's $16,500 Open class, holding off Cheyenne Knight and American Rage for the 1:50.2 triumph by a head with Mark MacDonald in the bike.
(With files from Tioga Downs)