by James Witherite, Tioga Downs racing media

Nichols, NY — Pacing divisions of the Grand Circuit Tompkins-Geers stakes highlight the on-track action this weekend at Tioga Downs, headlining Sunday (Aug. 9) afternoon’s extended 16-race card, while the second annual Tioga Downs World Chicken Spiedie Eating Championship Presented by Lupo’s will take place on the tarmac Saturday (Aug. 8) evening.

Twenty-five 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings contest a trio of Tompkins-Geers divisions, carded as races seven, nine, and 11 on the pari-mutuel portion of Sunday’s card.

In the first $28,442 division, Steve Elliott trainee Talk Show (Scott Zeron, 2-1 morning line favorite) looks to keep his undefeated record intact, soundly defeating New York Sire Stakes company at Tioga on July 17 in 1:52.3. The son of Art Major drew post six in the field of eight, and will have to face the likes of McDave (Marcus Miller, 4-1) and JK Will Power (Matt Kakaley, 9-2), both of whom ship in after successful efforts in Pennsylvania Sire Stakes events.

The second division will see Rock Power (Jim Marohn Jr., 3-1) and Katies Rocker (David Miller, 5-2 favorite) resume their New Jersey Sire Stakes rivalry, both earning minor checks in the $100,000 final on July 17.

The third division, carrying a purse of $28,942, features Do Over Hanover (Tetrick, 5-2 favorite) and Ideal Jimmy (Aaron Byron, 3-1) both seeking a third career win after most recently rallying from off the pace to prevail in stakes events at the Meadows. Seven rivals line up to their inside in the concluding Tompkins-Geers division for male pacing freshmen.

A quintet of 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings square off in the $56,664 fifth race on the betting program. Ron Burke trainee My Hero Ron (Kakaley, 7-5 morning line favorite) looks to avenge defeat in the $400,000 Adios, having taken his elimination the week prior in 1:50.3 along with a $16,000 conditioned pace at Harrah’s Philadelphia and a Pennsylvania Sire Stakes event at the Meadows just before.

The five-time winner will be flanked by Tony Alagna trainees Revenge Shark (Brett Miller, 9-5 as part of entry) and Dreams Beachboy (Zeron, part of entry), while Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund standout Remember Me VK (Montrell Teague, 3-1) looks to add to his nine career wins. Dragon Eddy (Tim Tetrick, 9-2) completes the compact field.

Pacing fillies will contest their Tompkins-Geers events as non-betting affairs, with four 2-year-olds vying for $56,776 just after the first pari-mutuel race. Nancy Johansson sends a pair of fillies to the gate, with JK Fannie (Tetrick) and Rock My Girl (Brett Miller) both exiting New Jersey Sire Stakes races. The filly to beat is Mark Harder trainee Blue Moon Stride (Andy McCarthy), already a three-time winner with a 1:53 mark taken in the Arden Downs at the Meadows.

Likewise, a quartet of 3-year-olds compete for $47,664 after the second pari-mutuel race, with Ed Lohmeyer trainee Ideal Nuggets (David Miller) already a winner four times this season. The Western Ideal filly took her 1:51.2 mark in the James Lynch Consolation at Pocono in July, and most recently held for a narrow 1:53.4 win in a $30,000 conditioned event at Yonkers.

While the racing action heats up Sunday, Tioga Downs plays host once again to the Tioga Downs World Chicken Spiedie Eating Championship Presented by Lupo’s on Saturday evening. Reigning champion Joey Chestnut will be back to defend his title between races on Saturday’s nine-race program.

Post time for Friday (Aug. 7) and Saturday (Aug. 8) is 6:15 p.m. (EDT), while Sunday’s (Aug. 9) stakes-laden card will begin at 1:30 p.m.