BJ Lorado (Andy Santeramo) took the featured trot ($9,000) at Tioga Downs on Saturday (August 18).
BJ Lorado ($9.90) went to the front and led to a first quarter of :28.0 and the half of :57.2. Freddie Mac (Mike Merton) would go first over and claim the lead at the three-quarter mark of 1:25.4.
The two horses would then battle their way around the final turn together. BJ Lorado would dig down deep and re-claim the lead in the stretch to win in 1:55.0. Rose Run Rudi (Aaron Byron) came up to finish second. Freddie Mac settled for third.
BJ Lorado is a 4-year-old gelding by Bo W. It was his sixth win of the season and it was career victory number 10. Trained by Marc Major for two of the the nicest owners you would ever want to meet in Diane and Michael Norcross. The lovely couple can be seen here almost every night at the finish line rooting their horses on.
Mike Merton and Jim Taggart Jr. each won three races on the night. Merton got his wins with Gifted George ($6.30), Vicki All ($9.50), and Mr Carrotts ($6.10). Taggart Jr, won with Pinstripe Pride ($13.80), Celebrity Lover ($15.80), and Master Of Puppets ($5.30).
Uriel (Annie Stoebe) wins the Billings Amateur race ($6,000).
Uriel ($13.80) charged to the front and went gate-to-wire (:28.1, :59.3, 1:27.3, 1:56.4). Owned and trained by Stoebe, he had to hold off the late rush of second place finisher Celebrity Bluechip (Jennifer Lappe). Connie Keeper (Bob Davis) was third best.
Uriel is a 7-year-old gelding by Explosive Matter. It was his fourth win this season and career victory number 27.
Tioga Downs returns to live racing on Sunday (August 19) with their biggest card of the year. Sunday will feature Empires Breeders Classic (EBC) final for 3-year-old pacing fillies ($270,425) and the EBC Classic Final for 3-year-old colts and geldings ($272,025). Also on the card is the Roll WIth Joe Open Pace ($143,000) and the Artiscape Open Mares Pace ($161,000). As well as 2 divisions of the Ms Versatility for Open Mares trotters (leg 3). The 13 race card starts at 1 p.m.
For more information go to www.tiogadowns.com
by John Horne, for Tioga Downs