Wind Of The North, driven by Mike Simons, left the rest of the field in the dust as he trotted to victory in the $12,000 Open at Tioga Downs on Saturday (July 22).
Picture This (Charlie Norris) charged to the front and took the field to a first quarter in :28.4. Wind Of The North then moved first-over from fourth and blew right by to take over before the half. Owned by Darryl Bier and Joann Dombeck while trained by Jeff Long, the seven-year-old Cantab Hall gelding followed up with fractions of :57.2 and 1:25 on the way to a three and a half length victory in 1:53.3. Dragin The Wagon (Aaron Byron) came on late to finish second while Picture This settled for third.
Wind Of The North ($3.90) won for the sixth time this season in 18 starts and for the 30th time in his career. Simons earned win number 51 in the sulky on the season. Long earned his sixth training win on the season. The exacta (1-6) paid $20.20.
The large crowd was entertained after racing with a fantastic display of fireworks.
Live racing returns to Tioga Downs on Sunday afternoon (July 23) with a 12-race betting card and one non-betting Racing Under Saddle (RUS) race (following race one). Post time is 1 p.m. Also on Sunday is the "Belly Busting Burger Battle" on the trackside apron from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are $15 with children under three years old free. Half of ticket proceeds will go to a selected charity. Tickets include all burger tasting, water and one voting slip per person. There will also be live entertainment and cash prizes. This event is weather permitting only.
(With files from Tioga Downs)