Enjoying a second-over trip through a :28 third quarter, Arodasi ($4.30) prevailed as the even-money favourite, kicking cover and sprinting clear to a 1:51.1 victory in Friday (August 21) evening's $14,000 Mares Open Pace at Tioga Downs.
Mike Simons kept the six-year-old Western Terror mare off a contested early pace, settling into fourth as Shutthefrontdoor (Dan Clements), Donttellruss (Aaron Byron), and Southwind Trini (Jim Marohn Jr.) all vied for contention through a :27 initial quarter. After Southwind Trini, who won that three-way battle, rated a :55.2 half, she faced strong first-over pressure from Donttellruss on the backstretch. Arodasi slid second-over on approach to the far turn, closing in steadily and swinging three-wide as Donttellruss reached the apex of her bid. While Southwind Trini had enough to repel Donttellruss's challenge, Arodasi was able to vault clear in the final sixteenth, drawing off to defeat the longtime pacesetter by one and a quarter lengths. Justhaventmetuyet (Corey Braden) rallied belatedly down the grandstand side to take third.
Trainer Joe Pavia Jr. owns Arodasi in partnership with Peter Shank, Joseph Barbera, and the AGC Stables Inc.
John Cummings Jr. and Jim Marohn Jr. both recorded driving doubles on the nine-race card.
(Tioga Downs)