Nichols, N.Y. — Jim Taggart, Jr. was the star of the Friday (August 7) evening harness racing card at Tioga Downs, prevailing in three of the evening's seven races.
After missing the board in both halves of the daily double, the 45-year-old reinsman took the third race, a $4300 first-level distaff pace, with Ton of Luck ($6.50) sustaining a first-over bid on the backstretch en route to a 1:54.1 win for owner-trainer Shane Arsenault.
Taggart was elevated to victory in the fifth race, a $7500 claiming event for pacing mares, when he and Powerful Love ($3.50) were placed up from second after unofficial first-place finisher Cam Funny (Corey Braden) was disqualified for a pylon violation in upper stretch.
Taggart competed his hat trick in the featured sixth event, a $7200 third-level conditioned pace for mares, with Smokin N Grinin ($5.00) edging clear of late threat Wishingonadragon (Braden) and pocket rival Maejusmac (Mike Simons) for a decisive 1:54.4 triumph. Scott Blackler owns and trains the 8-year-old Grinfromeartoear mare, who took her second consecutive win in the evening's top event.
Live racing returns to Tioga Downs on Saturday (August 8) evening, with the first of nine races scheduled for 6:15 p.m. Eastern time. The program also features the 2015 renewal of the Tioga Downs World Chicken Spiedie Eating Championship, presented by Lupo's.
by James Witherite, Tioga Downs