Trainer Joe Skowyra and driver Mike Simons swept the pacing features on Saturday (August 20) evening at Tioga Downs, teaming up with Believe This Bob ($4.20) in the featured $13,000 Open 1 Pace and Flying Cowboy ($4.30) in the sub-featured $10,000 Open 2 Pace.
Believe This Bob avenged his defeat to Andreios Kardia in last week's Open 1 successfully, sprinting to a clear lead from Pop Cop (Scott Coulter) on approach to the first turn and controlling the pace through splits of :27.2, :56, and 1:23.2. The eight-year-old Beach Romeo gelding edged clear off the far turn, evading steady first-over gains from runner-up Andreios Kardia (Corey Braden) by one and three-quarter lengths in 1:51. Pop Cop faded to third after laboring from the pocket.
Mary Ann Larrimore owns 38-time winner Believe This Bob, a winner in four of his last six races.
Flying Cowboy used similar tactics early on in the sub-featured event, pushing clear of Winyard Hanover (Jim Meittinis) through the first turn before rating a leisurely :58 half-mile. The six-year-old Brandons Cowboy gelding responded well to heavy first-over pressure from Vangura (Corey Braden), digging in following a :26.4 third quarter to repel Vangura and hold sway of Winyard Hanover by one and a quarter lengths in 1:52.1. Major War (Mike Merton) mounted a mild rally off stalling cover to save third.
Wade Wyatt owns Flying Cowboy, a 31-time winner who posted a fourth consecutive victory.
Live racing returns to Tioga Downs on Sunday (August 21), with a 14-race card due to commence at 1:30 p.m. Eliminations for the pacing divisions of the Empire Breeders Classic take center stage along with New York Sire Stakes events for two-year-old trotting colts and geldings.
(Tioga Downs)