by Dustin Ross, Regional Racing Operations Manager, Tioga Downs

Nichols, NY — Fresh off his track record at Goshen, Flipper J proved that mile was no fluke on Sunday afternoon (July 17) as he posted another track record in the Tompkins–Geers for 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers at Tioga Downs.

Fred Brown photo

Flipper J scored in a track and stakes record time of 1:49.3.

Tim Tetrick was at the controls behind Flipper J (Art Major-Dolphins Can Talk) who left from post position five and was quickly on the front end through fractions of :26.1 and :54.2.

Down the backside it was a two horse breakaway as Roll’em Up (George Brennan) kept tightly to the Tetrick helmet as the field passed three-quarters in 1:21.4. Around the final turn Brennan edged to the outside, but Flipper J was too strong and held on to win in a track and stakes record time of 1:49.3. Roll’em Up was second, while Lucky Cadet (Andy Miller) was third.

“He’s got such good gate speed, and such quick versatile speed, and today he was very good,” said Tetrick. “I didn’t want to keep George’s horse in it down the backside — that’s why we sprinted there — and he responded well in the lane.”

In the other $33,460 division for 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers, Major Belle (Art Major-Meghan’s Belle) posted a major upset at 36-1 for Jim Taggart, Jr. in 1:53.

In the 2-year-old colt pace divisions of the Tompkins–Geers another Linda Toscano trainee equaled a stakes record with a 1:52 effort from Heston Blue Chip. Tetrick also did the driving on the son of American Ideal–Shot Togo Bluechip for owner Ken Jacobs.

Other division winners included Forever Just (Bettor’s Delight–Forever Cam) and Jody Jamieson in 1:55; Lawgiver Hanover (Art Major–Lauren Order) and George Brennan in 1:53; and Mr Erv (Art Major-Digga Digga) and Andy Miller in 1:53.

Division winners for 3-year-old colt and gelding trotters included The Evictor (Valley Victor-Expressive Chip) and Andy Miller in 1:55.2 and Keenan (Credit Winner-Lookout Victory) and Jeff Gregory in 1:55, which established a new Tompkins–Geers stakes record for 3-year-old colt and gelding trotters.

Tim Tetrick, Andy Miller, Jeff Gregory and Ed Hensley each posted driving doubles on the afternoon’s 12-race card.

Tioga Downs continues live racing on Monday (July 18) at 4 p.m. For more information on Tioga Downs visit www.tiogadowns.com.