Shutthefrontdoor sustained first-over gains en route to a second consecutive Open level win at Tioga Downs, using the same tactics in Friday evening's $11,000 feature at Tioga Downs as she did the week prior.
Dan Clements made his push to the fore with the five-year-old Well Said mare after K Js Caroline (Jim Taggart, Jr.) achieved the lead, pressing the pace without the aid of cover after a :57.2 first half mile. Shutthefrontdoor forced a :27 third quarter before subsequently wearing down K Js Caroline at head-stretch, driven to a three-quarters length victory over in 1:52.3 in a virtual carbon copy of her first-over defeat of Irish Bride the week prior. K Js Caroline was a valiant second, while Irish Bride (Fern Paquet, Jr.) held third off a loose pocket trip, chasing the duelling leaders through the far turn.
Trainer Mike Sinclair co-owns 14-time winner Shutthefrontdoor with Guy Beaulieu and Richard Villeneuve.
The featured win with Shutthefrontdoor was the cornerstone of a driving hat trick for Clements and a training triple for Sinclair on the evening's 13-race card. Clements also teamed up with Mikes Powerhouse ($2.40, 1:53.4) and Heather ($24.00, 1:55.3), while Sinclair trainees Rossini ($13.80, 1:54.1) and Ulster Hanover ($6.40, 1:54.1) also proved victorious.
Live racing returns to Tioga Downs on Sunday afternoon with a 15-race card due off at 1:30 p.m. A trio of New York Sire Stakes events for three-year-old trotting fillies share the spotlight on the afternoon, with Empire Breeders Classic winner Non Stick (Race 4, Åke Svanstedt) and Swinging Royalty (Race 6, Chris Lems) among the 21 sophomores to vie for a combined $121,800 in purses.
(Tioga Downs)