Michael Pagonas's Inittowinafortune ($2.90) achieved an early lead and never looked back, scoring a decisive three and three-quarter length victory in Friday (July 25) evening's $14,000 Open Handicap Pace for fillies and mares at Tioga Downs.
The four-year-old Cams Fortune mare dueled briefly with Cloris Hanover (Brandon Simpson) before clearing the lead on the first turn en route to a sizzling :26.4 first quarter. After Aaron Byron rated a :29.4 second quarter breather, the Michael Russo trainee sprinted away on the backstretch through a :27 third split, only to be chased in earnest by Cloris Hanover to the far turn. Inittowinafortune responded willingly to the pursuit, edging clear in the final 300 yards to win in 1:52. Cloris Hanover was a clear second, while Dirty Girty (Mike Merton) sustained a late rally to narrowly take third from Southwind Trini (Jim Marohn Jr.).
Jim Marohn Jr. led all drivers on the card with three wins.
(Tioga Downs)