Zenmeister S and Red Blooded both closed from fifth at the midway point to take their respective $17,361 co-featured Open II events at Tioga Downs on Saturday, Sept. 12.
Zenmeister S was away fifth in the trot for Kyle Swift as Bully Boy Hill (Mitchell Cushing) took the front going to the quarter in :27.3 continued to the half in :56.3. Purple Lord (Jim Pantaleano) came first-up to challenge for the lead, pressing up to the leader's flank at three quarters in 1:25.1. As they reached the stretch, Zenmeister S came flying three-wide and battled Purple Lord all the way to the wire, reaching up in time to win by a nose in 1:55.1. Stmikes Kerryblues (Ron Cushing) finished third.
Zenmeister S, a five-year-old gelding by Perfect Spirit-Zsa Zsa Kronos, is owned and trained by Gary Levine. He is now 11-for-41 lifetime. Win tickets returned $17.16 for $2.
Red Blooded charged off cover for Jim Pantaleano to capture the pace. Sun Of A Show (Mitchell Cushing) controlled the early going as he led to the quarter in :26.2 and to the half in :55. Mr Huggins (Fern Paquet Jr.) moved first-over heading to the final turn with Red Blooded on his back to three-quarters in 1:22.1.
Red Blooded made his move three-wide turning for home and headed to the lead in the stretch, beating out a tough second-place finisher Mr Huggins to win by three-quarters of a length in a lifetime-best 1:50.3. Aces Or Bettor (Ron Cushing) took third money.
Red Blooded, owned by Rick Berks, now has 11 wins in 38 career starts. The four-year-old gelding by Boston Red Rocks-Unred Hanover is trained by Mike Deters. He paid $4.66 to win.
Jim Pantaleano and Kyle Swift had driving hat tricks on the 13-race program. Mike Deters and Gary Levine took two training wins apiece.
Tioga Downs is set to host its next card on Thursday, starting at 6:15 p.m.
(With files from Tioga Downs; photo of Zenmeister S winning on Sept. 12)