Tioga Downs played host to five W.N. Reynolds Memorial races on Sunday, Aug. 25.
Groovy Joe captures the $38,650 first division of "The Solicitor" for two-year-old pacing colts & geldings.
Groovy Joe went right to the front and led to the first quarter in :27.1. He then slowed the pace towards a :58 half while Columbo went first-over and put some heat on the leader as they traveled up the backstretch. Groovy Joe put Columbo away as he hit three-quarters 1:25.2.
Groovy Joe, who is owned by trainer Blake Macintosh and Hutt Racing Stable, led turning for home. Western Vacation popped out of the pocket and came flying in the stretch. Groovy Joe dug down deep and hung on to win in a career best of 1:52.4. Western Vacation had to settle for second money. Columbo finished third.
Groovy Joe is a two-year-old colt by Roll With Joe-Chotat Milk. It was his sixth win in eight starts. Matt Kakaley drove the $2.80 winner.
Freedom Warrior won the $38,650 second division of The Solicitor.
Level Up was first to the quarter in :27.4 before Bombshell Hanover took over with one lap to go and led to the half in :56.2 and to three-quarters in 1:24.2. Level Up came out of the pocket and battled Bombshell Hanover all around the final turn.
Freedom Warrior, who is owned by Forrest Bartlett and trained by Kevin Lare, went second over after three-quarters. He then went three wide in the stretch and blew right by to win in 1:52.4. Bombshell Hanover finished second with Level Up getting third.
Freedom Warrior is a two-year-old colt by American Ideal-Chief Karen. He is three for seven in his career and winning his last three races. David Miller drove the $3.10 winner.
Back Of The Neck goes gate-to-wire in "The Judge Moore" featuring freshmen trotting colts and geldings for a purse of $62,400.
Back Of The Neck trotted first to the opening quarter in :27.2. He slowed the pace of the race to a :59 half and flew up the back stretch towards three-quarters in 1:26.4.
Back Of The Neck, who is trained by Marcus Melander for owners Howard Taylor, Order By Stable and Judith Taylor, still led as they made the turn for home. Second-place finisher Moon Bridge made a late charge but Back Of The Neck was too strong and won in a lifetime best of 1:56. Coventry Hall finished third.
Back Of The Neck is a two-year-old colt by Ready Cash-Big Barb. It was his second win in four starts. Mattias Melander drove the $3.70 winner.
Common Sense S won the "The Meda" for two-year-old trotting fillies for a purse of $56,800.
Common Sense S led to the first quarter in :28. Her lead was short lived as Heart N Soul Deo took control heading for the stands for the first time. Heart N Soul Deo was first to the half in :56.3 and first to three-quarters in 1:25.3.
Common Sense S, who is owned by trainer Ake Svanstedt and S R F Stable, popped out of the pocket as they reached the stretch and she won easily in a lifetime best of 1:55.4. Thankful For You came up to finished second. Heart N Soul Deo held on for third.
Common Sense S is a two-year-old filly by Trixton-Opportunity. She won for the third straight time. She is three for six in her career. Jim Morrill Jr. sat in the bike.
Ideal Dancer won the non-betting The Lorraine featuring two-year-old pacing fillies for a purse of $49,600.
AP Emilys Dance controlled through early fractions of :27.1, :58.1 and 1:27.1. Ideal Dancer, who is trained by Scott DiDomenico for owners Triple D Stables, JFE Enterprise, D Robinson and RBH Ventures, popped out of the pocket and flew on by to win in 1:57.1. AP Emilys Dance finished second with Bolt Of Speed getting third money.
Ideal Dancer is a two-year-old filly by American Ideal-Shawnee Dancer. It was her first career win in eight lifetime starts.
Tioga Downs returns to live racing on Friday, Aug. 30 with a nine race card starting at 6:15 p.m. No racing on Saturday, Aug. 31 because of the Smash Mouth concert.
(Tioga Downs)