by Dustin Ross, Regional Racing Operations Manager, Tioga Downs & Vernon Downs

Nichols, NY — Tioga Downs held its second annual Camel and Ostrich races on Sunday afternoon in front of more than 5,700 eager fans. The ostrich race was held after race number four on the card, while the camels hit the track after race number eight.

Fred J. Brown photo

A large crowd was on hand Sunday afternoon to watch the Camel and Ostrich races at Tioga Downs.

Eastend Eddie and Jim Marohn Jr. took home Sunday afternoon’s $16,000 open handicap pace at Tioga Downs.

Starting from post position seven in a field of eight, Marohn backed Eastend Eddie off to last as the field was led to the quarter in :27 by Sheer Brilliance (Aaron Byron). The 6-5 betting favorite Pence Hanover (Andrew McCarthy who was assigned the eight hole, was parked and pressing on the leader by the half-mile mark of the race in :55.2. Down the backside, Corey Braden pulled Fireyourguns three-wide through a third panel in :27.3 but could not even move into the second position past Pence Hanover by three-quarters in 1:23. Around the final turn Marohn was still sitting last as the field straightened up in the lane, and down the stretch Eastend Eddie exploded five wide to win by a length and three quarters in 1:51.2.

Ron Burke trains the 5-year-old gelded son of Million Dollar Cam–Armbro Cinema for Burke Racing and Weaver Bruscemi of Pennsylvania. Eastend Eddie, who was crowned pacer of the year last year at Tioga Downs, posted the fourth win in eighteen seasonal starts and with the win increased his seasonal earnings to more than $41,000.

Sheer Brilliance and Aaron Byron, despite taking pressure the entire mile, hung on for second, while May Day (Jim Taggart Jr.) finished third.

Tioga Downs continues live racing action on Friday, June 28 with a post time of 6:50 pm, for more information on Tioga Downs please visit us online at www.tiogadowns.com.