Enos Van Stanhope, III and Tony Dinges's Pop Cop ($4.40) stepped up two levels and repeated in near pillar-to-post fashion in Sunday (July 3) afternoon's featured $7,200 top-level conditioned pace at Tioga Downs.
Mike Merton was aggressive early with the seven-year-old Bettors Delight gelding, sprinting out to establish the lead from midpack and only briefly yielding to Lauxmont Capri (Jim Taggart, Jr.) before retaking after a :27.1 first quarter. Pop Cop faced no further threats after reclaiming the lead, edging clear gradually through a :56 middle half and mounting a 3-3/4 length margin of victory through his 1:52 mile. Lauxmont Capri, all-out to chase from the pocket, narrowly held second over Owosso Flash (Jim Meittinis), who maintained mild first-over gains.
For Dinges, the leading trainer nine weeks into the meet, the win with Pop Cop was one of two on the day.
After evading punters for two consecutive cards, the 50¢ Pick 5 was hit for $73.25.
Monday (July 4) afternoon's nine-race card features the Geers Stakes for three-year-old pacers, comprising an all stakes mid-card double. First race post time for the nine-race Independence Day card is 1:30 p.m. Eastern, with coverage on the Tioga Downs Racing Network to commence at 1:05.
(with files from Tioga)