Eastend Eddie has made a habit of being in the winner’s circle at Tioga Downs, and today was no different. The five-year-old gelding won for the fourth straight time in the Open Pace and for the sixth time at Tioga this year.
The race began with Sheer Brilliance and driver Aaron Byron rolling to the front through a :28.4 opening quarter. With a short field of five in tow and 2-5 favourite Eastend Eddie on his back, Byron tried to steal the race with a soft :29.2 second panel to a half in :58.1.
However, that’s where all attempts at soft fractions ended as the two favourites separated themselves from the rest of the field while pacing a :26.2 third quarter. Around the final turn, driver Jim Marohn Jr. pulled Eastend Eddie from the pocket and stretch duelled Sheer Brilliance, eventually wearing him down with a sizzling :26.1 final panel to win by a length in 1:51.1.
The win pulled trainer Ron Burke into a tie with Jamie Paquet in Tioga’s 2013 trainer standings; each has 17 wins during the meet.
Marohn Jr. and Fern Paquet Jr. each had driving doubles while Mike Sinclair picked up a training double.
Tioga Downs continues live racing action next Friday and Saturday night and also has a Sunday afternoon card that will be highlighted by the Cane Pace eliminations, final leg of the Miss Versatility, and the second leg of the Kindergarten Classic.
(Tioga Downs)