Scott Woogen’s K Js Caroline took full advantage of a pocket trip in Friday evening’s co-featured $13,500 Mares Open 1 Pace at Tioga Downs, only reaching the lead in the last 15 yards of a 1:51.2 mile.
The six-year-old Roddys Bags Again mare was involved from race’s outset as she customarily does, repelling Northern Beauty (Mike Simons) on approach to the first turn before yielding control to Yes You Can (Aaron Byron) after a :26.3 first quarter. K Js Caroline enjoyed a clear pocket ride through middle sectionals of :55.1 and 1:22.4. Jim Taggart, Jr. angled K Js Caroline out of the pocket just above the eighth pole—but another threat would emerge deeper out in the form of Northern Beauty, who hooked three-wide off the turn once able to shake free. K Js Caroline gained the upper hand in the nick of time, just collaring runner-up Yes You Can by a neck and likewise staving off third-place finisher Northern Beauty in a three-way stretch battle.
Gary Messenger trains K Js Caroline ($9.80), now a 28-time winner.
In the $13,500 Open Handicap Trot, 17-1 outsider Brandos Muscle Man ($37.40) was elevated to first after his stretch bid from the pocket was interrupted by pacesetter Dragin The Wagon (Byron), who bore out off the far turn and clipped Brandos Muscle Man amid their stretch duel. Mike Merton drove the eight-year-old Muscles Yankee gelding to his 30th career win in 1:53.3, albeit by default. Dragin the Wagon was relegated to second for his upper-stretch foul, while Prairie Fortune (Jim Meittinis) could only muster enough momentum to capture third from off the pace.
Rick Dane, Jr. trains Brandos Muscle Man for the Rock and Roll Stable Inc and Monica Banca.
Live racing returns to Tioga Downs on Saturday evening, with the first of 13 pari-mutuel events due off at 6:30 p.m.
(Tioga Downs)