Taking advantage of a pocket trip and room on the far turn left by a fading Bourbon Bay, Skates N Plates ($29.60) pounced late to just collar Six Bax in Saturday (August 1) evening's $14,000 Open Trot at the harness racing meeting at Tioga Downs.
Aaron Byron secured the pocket with the 4-year-old Revenue entire, drafting behind Grey Ice (Corey Braden) through a :27.2 first quarter.
As soon as Byron vacated the pocket and brushed Skates N Plates to the lead, though, Six Bax (Jim Taggart, Jr.) circled three-deep out of third, clearing just upon passing the winning post on the first occasion.
After taking charge through a :55.2 half mile, Six Bax faced mild pressure on the backstretch from the first-over Bourbon Bay (John Cummings, Jr.), maintaining his 1-1/2-length lead through three-quarters in 1:24.3.
As Bourbon Bay faded on the far turn, Six Bax found room to vacate the pegs, driven to a narrow 1:53.4 victory in the final yards.
Six Bax held second, while Tirade Hanover (Tyler Raymer) kicked cover off the far turn to take third.
Paul Kelley trains Skates N Plates for owner-breeder Robert Key.
Byron scored a hat trick on the 12-race card, as did Jim Taggart, Jr.
Live racing returns to Tioga Downs on Sunday (August 2) afternoon, with the first of 11 races due to begin at 1:30 p.m. Eastern time.
James Witherite