by Dustin Ross, regional racing operations manager, Tioga/Vernon Downs

Nichols, NY — A pair of semi-final divisions in the Rags To Riches pacing series were contested on Sunday afternoon (June 14) at Tioga Downs.

Escape Attack held off Scotts Rolls Royce in the first division.

Escape Attack and Jason Bartlett posted a 1:53.4 victory in the first division. Bartlett sent Escape Attack out of the two hole past the quarter in :27.1 to take command and led the nine pacers to the half in :56.1. Mcardles Charm and Mark Gingrich were first over applying pressure to the leader down the backside as the field tripped the three-quarter pole in 1:24.2.

Escape Attack repelled the first over attack by the favorite, but had to hold off a late surging Scotts Rolls Royce and Jimmy Whisman through the lane. Escape Attack held on to win by a head and secure a spot in next week’s $75,000 final. Scotts Rolls Royce held on for second, while Stettin Hanover (Jordan Stratton) finished third. Also qualifying for next week’s final was the favorite, Mcardles Charm, with a fourth place finish.

Fred Brown Photography

Derek Bromac N won the second division for Greg Merton in 1:53.

In the second division, Derek Bromac N and Greg Merton moved to the front just past the quarter pole and held on through the mile to score his fourth victory of the year in 1:53. The 9-year-old Holmes Hanover gelding is owned by Maryann Plano and is trained by Rick Plano. False Alarm (Ken Holliday) utilized a two-hole trip to finish second, while Hobby Art Benka (Claude Huckabone III) hung on for third after a first-over journey. Also qualifying for next week’s final with a fourth place finish was My Wicked Willie (Jason Bartlett).

The fastest fifth place finisher of the two events was Glossy N (Jim Pantaleano) from the second division, being timed in 1:54, to also garner a spot in the final.

Jason Bartlett, Jordan Stratton, and Greg Merton each posted driving doubles on the afternoon’s 12-race card.

Tioga Downs continues live racing action on Friday, June 19, with a post time of 6:50 p.m. For more information on Tioga Downs, visit www.tiogadowns.com.