Tracking live cover on the backstretch, Dan Clements' Mach It A Par ($3.00) showed immediate response at the top of the stretch once again, taking Friday (July 24) evening's $12,000 Mares Open Pace at Tioga Downs in decisive -- and well-measured -- fashion.
Getting away last in the field of six, John Cummings Jr. angled the five-year-old Mach Three mare second-over to track the live cover of Shutthefrontdoor (Vern Smith) well off a :55.4 half-mile. Mach It A Par was towed into midfield on the backstretch as Shutthefrontdoor turned up the pressure on leader K Js Caroline (Jim Taggart Jr.) past three-quarters in 1:24. K Js Caroline ultimately gave way midway on the far turn, but Shutthefrontdoor's new-found lead was in jeopardy at head-stretch. Mach It A Par tipped off cover just upon cornering, and surged to the fore in mid-stretch. She was taken in hand with 70 yards to go, and she prevailed by a measured half-length in 1:52.2, notching her fourth straight win. Shutthefrontdoor held second, and K Js Caroline checked in a worn-down third.
Renaldo Morales III trains Mach It a Par, now a 14-time career winner.
Cummings led all drivers on the evening, notching three wins on the 10-race card.
(With files from Tioga Downs)