by Dustin Ross, regional racing operations manager, Tioga Downs

Nichols, NY — Winbak Dimensions and Jimmy Marohn, Jr. scored in the featured $15,000 Open Handicap Pace on Sunday afternoon (July 6) at Tioga Downs.

Fred Brown Photography

Winbak Dimensions (#4) edged Disco Dragon in Sunday’s Open at Tioga.

The mile of 1:52 lowered the seasonal mark for the 5-year-old son of Village Jove, in his third victory of the season. Jim Perry trains Winbak Dimensions for William and Jack Heinz. Jimmy Marohn, Jr., sent Winbak Dimensions three wide past the three-quarter pole and he responded by pacing his last quarter in :28.2. Disco Dragon (Jordan Stratton) finished second, while Upscale Hanover (Mike Simons) rounded out the $2,328 4-5-8 trifecta.

KF St Patrick finally made his 2008 debut in the winner’s circle after 11 seasonal starts. The 4-year-old son of Nobleland Sam won 12 of 20 starts last year, but did not score his initial victory of 2008 until capturing Sunday’s Winners Over Pace in 1:52.2. Jordan Stratton teamed up with David Stratton for owners Henry Kauffman and Michael Medors. Opan Heart (Jimmy Marohn, Jr.) finished second, while Bullvilleintherain (Jim Taggart, Jr.) hung on for third.

Eddy Kash established a new lifetime mark of 1:55.1 in the $14,000 Open Trot with Howard Parker in the sulky. The 7-year-old son of El Paso Kash sat in the pocket behind Clearaway through fractions of :27, :57.3 and 1:26.2 before tipping to the outside and striding away from the field through a final panel of :28.4. The winning margin was 1-1/4 lengths over Yankee Nola (Jimmy Marohn, Jr.) in second, while Clearaway (Nicholas Andreoli) hung on for third.

Howard Parker and Jimmy Marohn, Jr. each posted driving triples on the afternoon’s 10-race card, while Bruce Clarke found the winner’s circle on two occasions.

Tioga continues live racing action on Friday, July 11, with a post time of 6:50 p.m. Please note the special post time of 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 13, as the track hosts the Budweiser Clydesdales. For more information on Tioga Downs please visit www.tiogadowns.com or call 1-888-WIN-TIOGA.