Jim Taggert Jr. worked out the winning drive in the featured $20,548 Open Handicap on Saturday, Aug. 10 at Tioga Downs with the Quebec-bred four-year-old trotter Kinnder Thinktwice ($4.30).
Makadushin N Cheez (Ridge Warren) was first to the quarter in :27.2 but the pocket-popping Kinnder Thinktwice then took over control and led to the half in :56.1 and three-quarters in 1:25.1. As they reached the stretch, May Baby (Braxten Boyd) went all out after the leader but Kinnder Thinktwice was too strong and won by a length in 1:54.1. May Baby settled for second and Stonebridge Bomber (Aaron Byron) finished third.
Kinnder Thinktwice, a son of Wheeling N Dealin and Majestic Joy, is owned by John Marshall and trainer Susan Marshall. He earned his eighth win this season from 18 starts and his 14th career victory.
Driver Braxten Boyd won half of the 10 races on Saturday night. Boyd and trainer Jenny Melander combined for three of the wins with Partner Dolan ($3.10), Down The Pike Mike ($5.70) and Allsummerlong As ($18.60). Boyd's other two wins were with R Bama ($2.40), trained by John Butenschoen, and Homer Hall ($4.60), from the Brandy Wine stable.
Trainer/driver Joe Skowyra once again swept the amateur races. He won with 13-year-old pacing mare The Charging Moa N ($18.40) in 1:57.1 and six-year-old trotting horse Flyhawk El Fuerte ($6.10) in 1:57.4.
Live harness racing returns to Tioga Downs on Sunday, Aug. 11, with a 15-race card starting at 1 p.m.
(With files from Tioga Downs)