Employing a first-over push into the far turn, Unlocked ($15.40) accelerated clear of his four rivals en route to a 1:50 minor upset in Monday (August 17) evening's $14,000 Open Pace at Tioga Downs.
Marcus Miller settled the four-year-old Duneside Perch entire just off a pressured early pace, tracking Believe This Bob (Aaron Byron) and Steelhead Hanover (Mike Simons) through a :54.3 initial half mile before making his first-over bid in the final five-sixteenths of the mile. Unlocked worked his way into the lead at the top of the stretch, pushing clear at will. Steelhead Hanover was able to vacate the pocket to give chase, rallying into second over the tiring Believe This Bob, but still giving up 3-1/2 lengths to Unlocked in the end.
Erv Miller trains Unlocked, now a 15-time winner, for Megan Rogers Racing Stables.
Live racing returns to Tioga Downs on Friday (August 21) evening, as does the annual Corntastic festival, which lasts all weekend. Post time is 6:15 p.m. Eastern.
Tioga Downs horsemen's golf tournament reminder
All owners, trainers, and drivers currently racing at Tioga Downs are invited to take part in a golf tournament on Monday, August 24 at the Tioga Country Club.
The tournament will be contested as a four-person scramble, with longest drive and closest-to-the-pin prizes awarded for both men and women.
Registration will begin at 8:00 a.m. on the day of the tournament, with a shotgun start at 9:00 a.m. and dinner after the round of golf. All four-person teams and individual golfers are advised to contact Garrett Madison at [email protected] by Wednesday, August 19. There is no charge to take part.
(Tioga)