by James Witherite, Tioga Downs racing media

Nichols, NY — Father Patrick was gamely outkicked by Datsyuk ($52.00) in their $36,036 division of the Tompkins-Geers Grand Circuit stakes on Sunday (Aug. 17) at Tioga Downs.

After an uneventful start, Yannick Gingras sent Father Patrick to the fore, floating clear of Hillustrious (David Miller) with little effort involved through a :57 half-mile. The 16-time winner accelerated up the backstretch through a :27.4 third quarter, but Hillustrious was able to keep with him from the pocket.

Fred Brown photo

Datsyuk defeated Father Patrick in their $36,036 Tompkins-Geers division.

Meanwhile Datsyuk, waiting in the wings thus far, commenced a two-wide rally on the far turn, taking a narrow lead in the final 100 yards en route to a hard-fought 1:53.1 victory. Father Patrick, whose next appearance is slated to be the Zweig Memorial at Vernon Downs, was a narrowly beaten second, and Hillustrious held even for third off his pocket trip.

Trainer-driver Charlie Norris co-owns Datsyuk with Leonard Buckner. The Explosive Matter-Pink Ribbons gelding’s 1:53.1 mile was the fastest ever at Tioga Downs by a 3-year-old gelding trotter.

The earlier Tompkins-Geers division for 3-year-old trotting colts and geldings saw Nancy Johansson trainee Resolve ($4.40, Corey Callahan) elevated to a win after just missing Sumatra (Brett Miller) in a 1:54.1 mile, as Sumatra was found guilty of a pylon violation upon exiting the final turn.

The Tompkins-Geers for 3-year-old trotting fillies saw a field of three contest their $46,572 division off the pari-mutuel card, with Stephen Farrell’s Mistresswithmuscle pulling clear for an 11 length win in 1:56.1. Yannick Gingras handled the driving duties for trainer George Ducharme.

Additionally, Tompkins-Geers divisions were held for 2-year-old trotters of each sex, with Jolene Jolene ($2.10, David Miller) taking her $28,571 split in a track record-equaling 1:55.2 mile. The Jonas Czernyson-trained daughter of Muscle Hill-Celebrity Speedie angled wide on the approach to the far turn, pulling clear of Crunchess Finale (Dan Rawlings) for a 4-1/2 length victory.

Other 2-year-old Tompkins-Geers winners included fillies Allerage Star (1:55.4, Corey Callahan) and Dynamite Dame (2:00, David Miller) while trotting colts Muscle Diamond (1:56.2, John Campbell) and Habitat (1:56.4, Yannick Gingras) prevailed in their splits as well.

The Tompkins-Geers Stake for 3-year-old pacers drew a lone division for each sex, with JK Endofanera posting a solid 1:50.1 win in the $54,072 colt division. The son of Art Major-Presidential Lady controlled the terms throughout, stopping a challenge from the first-over Doo Wop Hanover (Scorr Zeron) before holding off pocket rival Bushwacker (David Miller) by 1-1/2 lengths. Yannick Gingras handled the driving duties for trainer Ron Burke.

The $50,572 filly division went to Katie Said ($6.70), who was sent three-wide on the far turn by Marcus Miller to pass the dueling Uffizi Hanover (David Miller) and 4-5 favorite Precocious Beauty (Doug McNair) for a 1:52.1 victory. Rockingcam Park (John Campbell) chased off cover to take second, while Empire Breeders Classic winner Precocious Beauty faded late to third. Julie Miller trains Katie Said, a 3-year-old daughter of Well Said-Katies Lucky Lady.

Live racing resumes at Tioga with a special Monday (Aug. 18) evening card. First post for the 12-race program is set for 6:15 p.m. (EDT).