Tioga Downs hosted six Tompkins-Geers stakes races for freshmen trotters and pacers on Friday (August 9).
Major Betts (Dexter Dunn) took the first division of the $29,350 Geers Stakes for two-year-old pacing colts & geldings. Major Betts ($8.60), who is owned by trainer Mark Harder, J. V. Jannuzzelli, and Rachel Frost, went to the front and never looked back, putting up all the fractions (:27.2, :57.3, 1:25.3) before hitting the wire in 1:53.2. Bombshell Hanover (Andy Miller) was second best with Papi Rob Hanover (David Miller).
Major Betts is a two-year-old colt by Art Major-Southwind Johanne. He is now two for two in his career.
In the $29,350 second division, Western Vacation (Andy Miller) was first to the quarter in :27.3. Manticore (David Miller) took over the lead before hitting the half in :56.1. He led to three quarters in 1:25 and held off a late charge by second-place finisher Western Vacation to win in 1:52.2. JK Lucky Charms (Dexter Dunn) finished third.
Manticore ($3.00) is a two-year-old colt by Western Ideal-Southwind Playa. He is trained by Bruce Saunders for owners M&L Of Delaware LLC, and M&M Harness Racing LLC. It was his second win in five career starts.
Shining Beauty (Tim Tetrick) came flying late to win the $64,900 Geers Stakes for freshmen pacing fillies. Ladyboss (Wally Hennessey) led to a first quarter of :28 and to the half in :57.1. Coconut Beach (Jim Morrill Jr.) took over and led to three-quarters in 1:25.1. Shining Beauty looked like she was shot out of a cannon in the stretch as she flew by to win in 1:53.3. JK Finendandy (Dexter Dunn) was second with Bolt Of Beauty (Marcus Miller) finishing third.
Shining Beauty ($4.80) is a filly by the Tetrick-driven duo of Captaintreacherous-American Jewel. It was a victory in her first career start for owner Brittany Farms LLC and trainer Linda Toscano.
Saylor (D. R. Ackerman) captured the $54,000 Arthur Tompkins Memorial for two-year-old trotting colts & geldings. Sixteen (Wally Hennessy) led to a first quarter in :29.1. Saylor ($10.60) took control as they went by the stands for the first time, hitting the half in :59. He then cruised through three-quarters in 1:28.1 and won in 1:58.4. Coventry Hall (Corey Callahan) finished second. Third money went to AP Hall Of Trix (David Miller).
Saylor is a two-year-old colt by Chapter Seven-Creme De Cocoa. It was his second career victory for his trainer-driver-owner.
Common Sense S (Jim Morrill Jr.) went gate-to-wire to win the $41,800 first division of the Arthur Tompkins Memorial for two-year-old trotting fillies. Owned by trainer Ake Svanstedt and S R F Stable, she put up all the fractions (:28.1, :58.0, 1:27) before trotting home in :29.3 for the 1:56.3 score. Eye On The Hill (Dexter Dunn) was second with Thankful For You (Corey Callahan) getting third.
Common Sense S ($4.40) is a two-year-old filly by Trixton-Opportunity. It was her second career victory.
Musclesandmascara (Corey Callahan) connected in the $41,300 second division. She controlled all the early fractions (:29.3, 1:00.0, 1:29.0). Hannah (Andy Miller) took the lead at the top of the stretch and looked poised to get the win but went on a break in mid-stretch. Musclesandmascara ($21.40), who is owned by Consus Racing Stable and trained by Jonas Czernyson, re-claimed the lead and won in 1:58.4. Luv U Bye Click (Steve Smith) finished second. Stella Kemp (Jim Morrill Jr.) was third best.
Musclesandmascara is a two-year-old filly by Muscle Hill-Broadway Sister. It was her first career victory.
Tioga Downs returns to live racing with a 12-race card on Saturday (August 10) starting at 6:15 p.m.
(Tioga)