by Dustin Ross, regional racing operations manager, Tioga/Vernon Downs

Nichols, NY — A pair of stakes records for the Tompkins-Geers were broken at Tioga Downs on Sunday afternoon (July 18).

In the 2-year-old colt and gelding pace division, Wind Me Up was in the last race of the day but didn’t disappoint fans or bettors as the son of Bettor’s Delight-Breathe captured the final division in a new stakes record of 1:52.

David Miller made the trip up from New Jersey to steer the colt for George Teague, Jr. and sent the freshman pacer to the front through fractions of :27.1, :55.4 and 1:24 before coasting away from the field on cruise control in :28 flat.

It was the second win in two career starts for Wind Me Up who is owned by George Teague, Jr. Inc. and Theodore Gewertz.

Fred Brown photo

Aruba Vacation broke the Tompkins-Geers stakes record for a 3-year-old colt and gelding trotter.

In the 3-year-old colt and gelding trot division, Aruba Vacation and Fern Paquet, Jr. pressed to the lead past the three-eighths pole and trotted away from the field in a new track and stakes record time of 1:56.1.

It was the third win in six seasonal starts for the homebred son of Dream Vacation-Dixie Hit, who is trained and owned by Guy Howard. With the win Aruba Vacation increased his seasonal bankroll to more than $68,000.

That time of 1:56.1 was equaled by Jetblue Volo and Jim Morrill, Jr. The son of Yankee Glide-Blue Water Fly was winning for the second time this year for trainer Anette Lorentzon and owner ACL Stuteri AB.

A total of 11 Tompkins-Geers races were contested on Sunday afternoon and other winners included:

2-year-old colt and gelding pace: Feel Like A Fool-David Miller-1:53.1; So Over-David Miller-1:54; and Flipper J-Jason Bartlett-1:55.

3-year-old colt and gelding pace: JK Kinahurra-Jason Bartlett-1:53.1 and Capital Blue Chip-Jeff Gregory-1:52.

3-year-old-filly trotters: Sabana Hanover-Mike Simons-1:56.4; Full Tank-Andrew McCarthy-1:56.4; and Jettalady-Jim Morrill, Jr.-1:57.3.

Tioga Downs continues live racing action on Friday, July 23, with a post time of 6:50 p.m. For more information visit www.tiogadowns.com.