Nichols, NY — Tioga Downs played host for the Empire Breeders Classic (EBC) for both 3-year-old pacing fillies and pacing colts and geldings on Sunday (Aug. 30).
Fearless Partners (Jordan Stratton) captured the $197,100 EBC for sophomore pacing colts and geldings by half a length.
Knoxville (Tyler Buter) cruised to the first quarter in :26.1 before big favorite Fragment (Jason Bartlett) took over the top spot with a lap to go, getting to the half first in :55.1. He maintained the lead to three quarters in 1:22.2.
Fearless Partners ($16.66) came flying down stretch like he had wings, blowing by second place finisher Fragment to win in a lifetime mark of 1:50.3. Hunting Glory (Ridge Warren) finished third.
Fearless Partners is a gelding by American Ideal. He is trained by Noel Daley for owners Robert LeBlanc, Pryde Stables, William Beattie, Joe Sbrocco & JAF Racing. The victory was his fourth this season and his fifth career tally.
Odds On Monetary (Matt Kakaley) wired the field to take the $187,100 EBC for pacing fillies.
Odds On Monetary ($6.18) was first to the quarter in :27, and used a :29.4 second quarter to lead the field to a :56.4 opening half. Existential (Leon Bailey) came rushing down the backstretch and challenged for the lead, but Odds On Monetary held the front, racing to three quarters in 1:24.2.
As they reached the stretch, second-place finisher Existential continued to apply pressure as third-place finisher Liberty Style (Jason Bartlett) joined the chase, but Odds On Monetary was too strong and won in 1:52.2.
Odds On Monetary is a filly by Huntsville. She is owned by Odds On Racing and trained by Travis Alexander. The sophomore has won six times this season, and reached the winner’s circle 10 times in her career.
Rose Run Cowboy (Tyler Buter) captured a $112,100 leg of the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) for freshmen pacing colts & geldings, winning by half a length.
Free Agent (Braxten Boyd) commanded the field through a 27-second opening panel. My Body Guard (Ridge Warren) brushed on by and was first to the half in :55.1. He controlled things to three quarters in 1:23.1.
Rose Run Cowboy ($3.94) came charging like he was shot out of a cannon to win in a lifetime best of 1:52.1. Free Agent finished second, with My Body Guard settling for third money.
Rose Run Cowboy is 2-year-old colt by Huntsville-Blameitonthenight, owned by Thomas and Scott Dillon while trained by Ron Burke. The freshman is now a three-time winner.
Tioga Downs returns to live racing on Friday (Sept. 4) starting at 6:15 p.m. For more information visit www.tiogadowns.com.