from harness publicists across North America

Sunday’s (May 11) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from Tioga Downs, Saratoga Casino and Raceway and Hippodrome 3R.

Fireyourguns extends streak to five

Nichols, NY — Fresh off a front-end win in last week’s featured event, Fireyourguns made the winning move on the far turn to prevail in going-away fashion in Sunday’s (May 11) $14,000 Open I Pace at Tioga Downs.

Fred Brown photo

Fireyourguns was a 1:51.4 winner in the Open I Pace.

The 5-year-old American Ideal gelding was parked on the first turn before settling just behind the pace-setting pair of Prairie Jaguar (Jim Marohn Jr.) and Steelhead Hanover (Joe Pavia Jr.).

With Prairie Jaguar clicking off a :54.4 half-mile and a subsequent 1:22.3 three-quarter split, Aaron Byron angled Fireyourguns out, taking second on the far turn and continuing right on to take the lead off the corner, pulling clear through the stretch for a 1:51.4 score. Prairie Jaguar held second, while Real Flight (Brandon Simpson) made a mild belated rally to take third. Odds-on favorite Steelhead Hanover was devoid of late kick after tracking the fast initial pace, fading to fourth.

Trainer Terence McClory co-owns Fireyourguns with Jennifer and Robert Lowe.

The $11,000 Open II Pace saw Western Trademark rally three-wide off the last turn for a 1:54.1 victory in rein to Sean Bier.

Live racing returns to Tioga Downs on Friday (May 16), with first post scheduled for 6:15 p.m. (EDT).

— James Witherite

Saratoga Casino and Raceway
Mach To The Max (Mach Three) recorded his second consecutive victory in the JP Morel Memorial Pacing Series at Saratoga Casino and Raceway on Sunday afternoon. The 3-year-old pacer made his local debut back in April with a solid third place finish. Things have only gotten better for the Jackie Rousse trainee since then and he will head into next week’s Series final as the one to beat. On Sunday, Billy Dobson sat the pocket with Mach To The Max behind fellow leg one winner Sassy Hanover (Bruce Aldrich Jr.). Mach To The Max flew by around the final turn and stopped the timer in a career best 1:55.3. Making good at odds of 1-5, Mach To The Max became the only back-to-back winner in the pacing series that honors the memory of longtime Saratoga driver JP Morel. Sassy Hanover will take part in next week’s final as well, following his second place finish behind Mach To The Max while Regalwood (Jim Devaux) closed to finish third. The other division of the series that was contested on Sunday saw My Name Is Sam (American Ideal) secure a win in 1:56.1 for trainer-driver Jay Randall. The Series final, scheduled to be contested for a purse of upwards of $15,000, will take place next Sunday.

Hippodrome 3R
In a classic dogfight for control of the lead, Pieraz, a 12-1 longshot, parked out 1-9 favorite and track record holder Duc Orleans and went on to win the feature pace at Hippodrome 3R. Racing fans were able to witness as driver Sylvain Lacaille sent Pieraz to the early lead with DG’s Woodstock (Stephane Brosseau) grabbing the two-hole spot and Duc Dorleans parked first-over for driver Francis Picard. They raced that way through the opening quarter panel in :28.1. The dogfight continued with Duc Dorleans sticking his head out for the lead at the half-mile marker in :57, but Pieraz would not let him pass by and by the three-quarter pole in 1:25.1, Pieraz held a head advantage over Duc Dorleans as they rounded the final turn and headed for home. As they came down the stretch, Pieraz started to move away and DG’s Woodstock was ready to mount a challenge but went offstride and caused minor interference with Duc Dorleans but it was too late to make a difference as Pieraz coasted to the wire an easy winner by four open lengths in 1:55.1. Duc Dorleans held for second place with Onyx V A (Mario Charron) third. It was the first win in four starts this year for Pieraz. An 8-year-old gelded son of Bolero Master, Pieraz is trained and co-owned by Pierre Leclerc with Gina Bragagnolo. He paid $26.20 to win. After just two days into the 2014 race meet, the Hippodrome 3R is now boasting some of the highest win prices in horse racing. The average win price after 21 races is $14.50 and in 21 races there have only been three betting favorites that have won.