Driver Mike Simons pushed to the lead with seven-year-old Grinfromeartoear of in the initial stages, but couldn't back down the pace after clearing Hurricane Howard (Jim Marohn, Jr.) in a :26.4 initial quarter due to strong pressure from the first-over American Island (John Cummings, Jr.) through a :54.2 first half. On the backstretch, Road Untraveled turned aside American Island's threat, subsequently sprinting clear of his pocket rival Hurricane Howard to prevail by 3-3/4 lengths in a decisive 1:50.1. Hurricane Howard held second, while Artistic Major (Aaron Byron) was urged to stay even late, holding third off a tracking trip.
Mike Simons's son Shawn handles the training duties of the 16-time winner, while the elder Simons shares ownership of Road Untraveled with Christopher Giaccio.
While Road Untraveled kicked clear after setting the pace, Cobble Beach ($6.00) rallied off cover before a slingshot move to a 5-3/4 length win in the other co-featured event. The five-year-old Artiscape gelding drafted behind the cover of Oh My Joepa (Corey Braden) on the backstretch, pushing to the fore when John Cummings, Jr. moved him three-wide on the far turn. Cobble Beach drew clear at will through the stretch, soundly defeating Oh My Joepa and Dreamlands Art (Simons) in 1:52.3.
James Clouser, Jr. owns and trains the 11-time winner.
Marohn wins five in Tioga return
After Mike Simons won five races on Opening Night, perennial leading driver Jim Marohn, Jr. returned to Tioga for the Sunday afternoon card, registering five wins of his own on the 11-race program. In addition to a 1:51.4 win with Prairie Jaguar ($7.00) in a third-level conditioned event, he was victorious aboard Stonebridge Tonic ($5.10, 1:52.1), Affluenza ($4.10, 1:51.4), Terrys Star Dragon ($7.70, 1:53.1), and Brandons Escape ($13.20, 1:53.3). Simons scored a Sunday driving double, as did John Cummings, Jr. and Brandon Simpson.
Live racing returns to Tioga on Friday (May 8) evening, with first post scheduled for 6:15 p.m. eastern time.
by James Witherite, Tioga Downs