Sweeping three-wide on the backstretch to pounce on a pressured pace, Ontario Sires Stakes graduate Pan Luis Obispo ($6.00) drew off for a four and a quarter length win in Friday (August 15) evening's $15,000 Fillies and Mares Open Pace at Tioga Downs.
Vinny Ginsburg kept the four-year-old No Pan Intended mare well off a :54.2 first-half battle between Inittowinafortune (Aaron Byron) and Keystone Wanda (Corey Braden), moving a closer second-over on the backstretch before making a three-wide push past the fading Keystone Wanda. Pan Luis Obispo continued into the lead at the apex of the far turn, taking over from a softened up Inittowinafortune past a 1:22.3 three-quarter split. She drew clear of her six rivals at will through the stretch, keeping pocket rival Southwind Trini (Jim Marohn Jr.) four and a quarter lengths at bay for a 1:51.2 triumph. Cloris Hanover (Brandon Simpson) was an even -- but all-out -- third off her ground-saving trip.
Robert Bresnahan trains Pan Luis Obispo for winning owner Robert Bresnahan Jr.
While only able to muster a second-place finish in the featured event, leading driver Jim Marohn Jr. registered a Friday night grand slam, winning with R U Ideal (1:54.1), O Narutac Rockette (1:54.4), Wallstreet Hanover (1:58.4), and Winbak Heavenly (1:53.2).
(With files from Tioga Downs)