For You Almostfree and Aaron Byron captured Saturday night’s $16,000 Open Trot at Tioga Downs giving the five-year-old stallion his sixth victory of the year.
Leaving from post position number three in a field of seven, Byron moved For You Almostfree to the front and took control from Cold Certified at the quarter in :28.4.
From there Byron controlled the half-mile mark in :57.4 as Jimmy Marohn Jr. sent Waiting On A Woman with a strong first over brush and was neck and neck with the leader by three-quarters in 1:26.1.
Around the final turn, Byron had repelled the challenge from Marohn, but Cold Certified (Jim Meittinis) had got to the outside and was coming three-wide off the final turn. In the stretch, Byron asked For You Almostfree for more and he responded hanging on to win by a length in 1:55.3. Cold Certified got up for second, while Waiting On A Woman hung tough for third.
The son of Glidemaster out of Pizza Dolce is trained by John McDermott for Jet Dream Stables LLC, Robert Pucila, Jonathan Klee Racing, and Mitchell Cohen.
Tioga Downs’ leading driver Jimmy Marohn Jr. increased his lead with a driving triple on the night’s 10-race card, while Byron and Corey Braden each recorded doubles.
Tioga Downs continues live racing action on Monday, September 2 with a post time of 1:30 p.m. featuring the Cane Pace, Shady Daisy, and the final round of the Drivers’ Championship.
(With files from Tioga Downs)