by Dustin Ross, Regional Racing Operations Manager, Tioga Downs

Nichols, NY — The Tompkins–Geers Grand Circuit rounded out its four day race weekend on Monday evening (July 18) at Tioga Downs. One lone $65,910 race for 3-year-old filly trotters brought the curtain down on Grand Circuit weekend.

Fred Brown photo

Go Go Dancer was a 1:57.1 winner for driver Brian Mattison.

Go Go Dancer and Brian Mattison were sent off as the prohibitive race favorite and wasted no time getting control of the race past the quarter in :28.1. From there Mattison rationed out comfortable fractions of :59 and 1:27.3 as Refuse To Lose and Howard Parker pushed first up on the outside.

Around the final turn Go Go Dancer had one challenger left in the pocket with Tap Tap Dance and Dan Daley, but down the stretch Go Go Dancer was too strong and won by open lengths in 1:57.1.

The win was the fourth of the year for the daughter of Credit Winner–Princess Gladiator for the partnership of Jim Winske, Stephen Michaels, Rossie Smith, and the Kelley Racing Stable. The winning trainer was Paul Kelley. Go Go Dancer returned $3.60 to win and with the victory increased her lifetime bankroll to more than $100,000.

In the $18,000 Open Handicap Pace, Tioga regulars Winbak Dimensions and Jimmy Marohn, Jr. struck the front and never looked back, posting a new lifetime mark of 1:50.4. Jim Perry trains the 8-year-old son of Village Jove–Exact Dimensions for William and Jack Heinz.

Greg Merton and Mike Micallef each posted driving doubles on the night’s 12-race card.

Tioga Downs continues live racing on Friday (July 22) at 6:50 p.m. For more information on Tioga Downs visit www.tiogadowns.com.