Enjoying a pocket trip behind May Day, the Wiz Kids Stable's Golden Gun proved an upset winner in Monday evening's $15,000 Open Pace at Tioga Downs, splitting foes to prevail by a scant neck in 1:51.1.
After a strong dispatch, the four-year-old Headmaster gelding yielded the lead to a headstrong May Day (Mike Merton), tracking through a :56.2 middle half breather after a harrowing :26.1 initial quarter. With Prairie Jaguar (Jim Marohn, Jr.) unable to sustain his first-over bid and even-money favourite Bet on the Law (Joe Pavia, Jr.) forced four-wide in his rally on the far turn, John Cummings, Jr. angled Golden Gun out of the pocket off the corner, taking over in deep stretch. While Bet on the Law sustained a strong late kick, the extra ground proved too much, as he just missed with his stand-side charge. Dull Roar (Aaron Byron) stayed on well off a three-wide bid to hold third.
Jeff Sorenson trains Golden Gun, who prevailed at double-digit odds for the second time this season. He paid $46.20.
Live racing returns to Tioga Downs on Friday, August 15, with first post slated for 6:15 p.m.
(Tioga Downs)