by Dustin Ross, Regional Racing Operations Manager, Tioga Downs

Nichols, NY — Tioga Downs hosted the first leg of the Miss Versatility Trotting Series on Sunday afternoon (June 19) and Autumn Escapade won in 1:52.3, setting a track record for older trotting mares. The time also equaled the fastest ever trotted at Tioga Downs, established in 2010 by Manningly (Jeff Gregory), and established a new lifetime mark for Autumn Escapade.

Fred Brown photo

Autumn Escapade scored in a track record 1:52.3 on Sunday.

George Brennan was in town to pilot Autumn Escapade from post position three. Going to the quarter Brennan was sitting second behind Pembroke Heat Wave (Ed Hensley) who was hot on the front end, turning the cold shoulder to Miss Dangles (Matt Kakaley) through fractions of :27 and :55.3.

As the field reached the half-mile mark of the race Brennan took hold of Autumn Escapade and made room for the parked out Kakaley in the two hole before pulling first over to storm to the lead and trip the three-quarters in 1:23.2.

Around the final turn Brennan asked Autumn Escapade for more as Frosty Flirt (Greg Merton) made a late bid on the leader but the duo hung tough at the wire. Frosty Flirt secured second, while Sea Raven (Howard Parker) got up for third.

Jonas Czernyson trains the 6-year-old daughter of Victory Sam–Winning Colors K for David and Misty Miller.

P L Conjure (Jim Meittinis) took home the $39,000 Williams Auto Trot final in front end fashion in a lifetime best equaling 1:53.4 for trainer Tyler Raymer.

In the $40,600 Nichols True Value Pace, Dry Gulch (George Brennan) overcame post position number nine and controlled all the panels to score in 1:51.

Phil Fluet posted a driving triple on the afternoon’s 11-race card, while Brennan and Kakaley each posted driving doubles.

Tioga Downs continues live racing on Friday, June 24, at 6:50 p.m. For more information visit www.tiogadowns.com.