Freshmen shine in Tompkins-Geers Stakes at Tioga Downs
August 10, 2019,Nichols, NY – Tioga Downs hosted six Grand Circuit Stakes on Friday (Aug. 9), with three Geers Stakes for 2-year-old colt and gelding pacers along with three divisions of the Arthur Tomkins Memorial for 2-year-old colt and gelding trotters.
Major Betts (Dexter Dunn) took the first division of the $29,350 Geers Stakes. Major Betts ($8.60), who is owned by trainer Mark Harder, Joseph Jannuzzelli, and Deena Frost, went to the front and never looked back putting up all the fractions (:27.2, :57.3, 1:25.3) to win in 1:53.2. Bombshell Hanover (Andy Miller) was second best with Papi Rob Hanover (David Miller) third.
Major Betts is a 2-year-old colt by Art Major-Southwind Johanne. He is now two-for-two in his career.
In the $29,350 second division, Western Vacation (Andy Miller) was first to the quarter in :27.3. Manticore (David Miller) took over the lead before hitting the half in :56.1. He led to three quarters in 1:25 and held off a late charge by second-place finisher Western Vacation to win in 1:52.2. JK Lucky Charms (Dexter Dunn) finished third.
Manticore ($3) is a 2-year-old colt by Western Ideal-Southwind Playa. He is trained by Bruce Saunders for owners M and L Of Delaware LLC., and M & M Harness Racing LLC. It was his second win in five career starts.
Shining Beauty (Tim Tetrick) came flying late to win the $64,900 Geers Stakes for freshmen pacing fillies. Ladyboss (Wally Hennessey) led to a first quarter of :28 and to the half in :57.1. Coconut Beach (Jim Morrill Jr.) took over and led to three-quarters in :1:25.1. Shining Beauty ($4.80), who is owned by Brittany Farms LLC., and trained by Linda Toscano, looked like she was shot out of a cannon in the stretch as she flew by to win in 1:53.3. JK Finendandy (Dexter Dunn) was second with Bolt Of Beauty (Marcus Miller) finishing third.
Shining Beauty is a filly by Captaintreacherous-American Jewel. She broke her maiden in her first career start.
Saylor (D R Ackerman) won the $54,000 Arthur Tompkins Memorial for 2-year-old trotting colts & geldings. Sixteen (Wally Hennessy) led to a first quarter in :29.1. Saylor ($10.60) took control as they went by the stands for the first time. Owned and trained by Ackerman, he went to the half in :59. He then cruised through three-quarters in 1:28.1 and won in 1:58.4. Coventry Hall (Corey Callahan) finished second. Third money went to AP Hall Of Trix (David Miller).
Saylor is a 2-year-old colt by Chapter Seven-Creme De Cocoa. It was his second career victory.
Common Sense S (Jim Morrill Jr.) went gate-to-wire to capture the $41,800 division of the Arthur Tompkins Memorial for 2-year-old trotting fillies. Owned by trainer Ake Svanstedt and S R F Stable, she put up all the fractions (:28.1, :58, 1:27) and won in 1:56.3. Eye On The Hill (Dexter Dunn) was second with Thankful For You (Corey Callahan) getting third.
Common Sense S ($4.40) is a 2-year-old filly by Trixton-Opportunity. It was her second career victory.
Musclesandmascara (Corey Callahan) were the winners in the $41,300 division of the Tompkins. She controlled all the early fractions (:29.3, 1:00, 1:29). Hannah (Andy Miller) took the lead at the top of the stretch and looked poised to get the win but went on a break in mid-stretch. Musclesandmascara ($21.40), who is owned by Consus Racing Stable and trained by Jonas Czernyson, reclaimed the lead and won in 1:58.4. Luv U Bye Click (Steve Smith) finished second. Stella Kemp (Jim Morrill Jr.) was third best.
Musclesandmascara is a 2-year-old filly by Muscle Hill-Broadway Sister. It was her first career victory.
Tioga Downs returns to live racing with a 12-race card on Saturday (Aug. 10) starting at 6:15 p.m.
For more information go to www.tiogadowns.com.