Following up on a victory in Saratoga Raceway's Joe Gerrity Jr. Memorial Pace, trainer/driver Larry Stalbaum's Blazing Home N was an easy winner in the $20,139 Open at Tioga Downs on Monday, Sept. 7.
Blazing Home N zipped to the quarter in :26.2 and extended his lead at every pole as he cruised to the half in :54 and three-quarters in 1:21. The seven-year-old gelding by Rock N Roll Heaven widened his winning margin to 4-1/4 lengths before hitting the wire in 1:50.1, paying $2.24 to win as the bettors' choice. Rockstar Artist A (Braxten Boyd) and Livonjaxandqueens (Tom Merton) both gave chase and rounded out the top three.
Blazing Home N notched his 10th win in 24 starts this season and his 30th career victory, bumping his earnings to $641,500.
The feature win capped off a driving-training double on the 10-race card for Stalbaum.
Live harness racing returns to Tioga Downs on Friday, Sept. 11 starting at 6:15 p.m.
(Standardbred Canada with files from Tioga Downs)