Canadian-owned trotter Up Helly AA returned to action from an eight-week layoff and won the featured $14,583 conditioned trot at Tioga Downs on Sunday, Sept. 6.
After sitting fifth behind fractions of :27.2 and :56.4, driver Kyle Swift moved Up Helly AA second-over behind Sunburnt Silverado (Mike Merton), who challenged the favoured race leader Big Box Hanover (Larry Stalbaum) to three-quarters in 1:26.1. As they reached the stretch, pocket-sitter Purple Lord (Jim Pantaleano) slipped through the inside of Big Box Hanover and Up Helly AA rallied three-wide. Big Box Hanover was overtaken by his rivals on both sides, finishing third, as Up Helly AA prevailed by a neck over Purple Lord in a season's best 1:55.4. Up Helly AA paid $13.58 to win as the 5-1 third choice.
The Nova Scotia-bred and P.E.I. sired winner of 41 races is owned by Ian Fromowitz of Richmond Hill, Ont. Jaymes McAssey trains the seven-year-old Armbro Barrister-Burnt With Finesse gelding, who earned his fourth victory in 17 seasonal starts.
Live harness racing returns to Tioga Downs on Monday, Sept. 7, starting at 12:30 p.m.
(Standardbred Canada with files from Tioga Downs)