Americanprimetime captured Saturday’s $13,000 Open Pace at Tioga Downs for driver Mike Merton, and he did so in an impressive clocking of 1:50.3.
Americanprimetime ($3.00) went straight to the front covering the first quarter in :26.3 with Dull Roar (Jim Meittinis) following in second. Owned by the Rock And Roll Stable Inc and trained by Rick Dane, Americanprimetime led to the half in :55.3 and three-quarters in 1:22.3. He found another gear in the stretch to win in 1:50.3. Gillys Boy (Mike Simons) came up to get second. Dull Roar held for third,
Americanprimetime is a six-year-old horse by American Ideal. It was his sixth win this season and career victory number 27.
BJ Lorado ($19.00) charged out of the gate and went straight to the front for driver Aaron Byron in Saturday’s $13,000 Open Trot, After hitting the first quarter in :27.1, he used a second quarter of :29.2 to hit the half in :56.3. He got some pressure from Buff (Corey Braden) as he hit three-quarters in 1:24.3. Trained by Marc Major for owners Michael and Diane Norcross, BJ Lorado was too strong in the stretch as he won easily in 1:55.1. Buff settled for second with Fox Valley Iliad (Larry Stalbaum) getting third money.
BJ Lorado is a four-year-old gelding by Bo W. It was his eighth win this season and his 12th trip to the winner's circle in his career.
Leading driver Mike Merton won five on the night giving him 70 for the year. His other four wins came with Mikado Blue Chip ($15.80), R M Blackhawk ($6.20), Jacksrluckytoo ($5.10) and Onhishonor Hanover ($13.40).
Tioga Downs returns to live racing on Friday, September 21. Closing night for 2018 is on Saturday, September 22 with a special start time of 5:30 p.m.
(Tioga Downs)