by James Witherite, Tioga Downs racing media

Nichols, NY — While 3-year-old trotting filly Barn Doll ($4.60) kicked cover to beat older company in Sunday (July 26) afternoon’s $12,000 Open Trot at Tioga Downs, it was trainer Joe Skowyra who shone most brightly on the nine-race card, with all three of his trainees on the program proving victorious.

The first race, a $3,700 first-level conditioned trot saw He Belongs Here ($4.70, Brandon Simpson) mount a rally on the backstretch after settling well off a quick early pace, working into the lead on the far turn before staving off a late charge from Maggie O (John Cummings, Jr.) to prevail in 1:58.4.

In the sixth race, a $5,000 claiming event, Master in Charge ($4.70, Aaron Byron) took charge from the outset, rating a soft :59.4 initial half. When a first-over bid from Dance With Molly (Gary Clark) came up short and a three-wide push from Psyched (Sean McAleese) lasted no longer than the entry of the far turn, Master In Charge drew off to a five length win, staying well clear of a late-rallying Ashcroft (Mike Simons) in 1:57.2.

After a flash deluge caused a brief delay before the late double, the afternoon’s final race saw Justherighttouch ($9.50, Byron) enjoy a pocket-trip behind Highland Yankee (Cummings), emerging free off the far turn to take the lead in upper stretch. Justherighttouch subsequently held off a late charge from P L Houdini (Ronnie Morales, III), who circled the stalled cover of Aruba Vacation to miss by just a half-length. The 8-year-old gelding won in 1:58.3, giving Skowyra a training hat trick on the afternoon.

Not to be outdone, Barn Doll utilized a :27.1 final quarter to defeat her five rivals in the featured $12,000 Open Trot. Beginning from post six, the Conway Hall filly came away second from last, just detached of the top quartet through a soft :57.1 first half. On the backstretch, Jim Meittinis moved her second-over to draft behind Oho Diamond (Morales), inching closer as pacesetter Six Bax (Jim Taggart, Jr.) accelerated through a :28.4 third quarter. Barn Doll would do her best work without the aid of cover, though, as she stormed home after losing Oho Diamond’s cover, collaring Six Bax in the final yards and prevailing by a half-length in 1:53.4.

Trainer Steven Pratt co-owns Barn Doll with Nancy Pratt and the Purple Haze Stables.