by Dustin Ross, Regional Racing Operations Manager, Tioga Downs & Vernon Downs

Nichols, NY — The “Roarin Grand” rolled into Tioga Downs on Thursday night featuring seven divisions of the Tompkins-Geers for freshman trotters.

Ray Schnittker as always brought his young horses ready to race, and captured one of the divisions for 2-year-old trotting fillies in track record time of 1:57.4 with Jezzy, a daughter of Credit Winner-Ladylind. Schnittker surprised the field with an unlikely tactic and backed Jezzy off to sixth as Mike Simons battled Ron Abbott through fractions of 28.4 and 59.2. Schnittker was out of patience as the field reached the half and sent Jezzy three-wide from sixth to first in a hurry to grab control of the field, stopping the three-quarter mark in 1:27.3. The freshman trotted her third quarter in 27.2 and opened up on the field as she pleased winning by open lengths at the wire to stay an undefeated three for three in 2010. Jezzy is owned by the partnership of Schnittker, Silva, Gural, and Gewertz all of New York. Jeff Gural, who is also the Chairman of American Racing and Entertainment, was in the winner’s circle following the victory.

“I usually don’t buy pieces of horses that I breed, but Schnittker asked me if I wanted to buy part of her and I am glad I did” said Gural.

Tompkins-Geers division winners for 2-year-old trotting fillies included Some Girls 1:59.2 (Gates Brunet), No More Credit 1:59.2 (Jim Morrill Jr.), and Refuse To Lose 2:00.1 (Jim Morrill Jr.). Division winners for the colts included hometown favorite Typical Newyorker 1:59.4 (Wally Hennessey), Pay The Winner 1:59.4 (Sam Schillaci), and Ice Machine 2:01 (Charlie Norris).

Tioga Downs continues racing action on Friday, July 16 with a post time of 6:50 pm featuring the Tompkins-Geers for 2-year-old and 3-year-old pacing fillies, for more information please visit us online at www.tiogadowns.com.