After being left to chase Prairie Jaguar in last week's pacing feature, Fireyourguns ($4.70) proved a decisive pacesetting 1:50.3 winner in Sunday (July 27) afternoon's $14,000 Open Pace at Tioga Downs.
The five-year-old American Ideal gelding left strongly, withstanding early pressure from Tell Us More (Larry Stalbaum) and Golden Gun (John Cummings Jr.) through a :55 half-mile before sprinting clear on the backstretch. Entering the far turn, Aaron Byron called upon Fireyourguns for his strongest burst of speed, and he kicked clear of his rivals to lead by nearly six lengths in upper stretch. While Prairie Jaguar (Jim Marohn Jr.) was able to mount a late bid from off the pace to take second, Fireyourguns was taken in hand through the final 100 yards, prevailing by two and three-quarter lengths.
Trainer Terence McClory co-owns Fireyourguns with Jennifer and Robert Lowe. The win was Fireyourguns' third in his last four Open starts at Tioga.
(With files from Tioga Downs)