Nichols, NY – The Roll With Joe Open Pace, sponsored by Blue Chip Farms, full of anticipation as Bettor’s Wish kicked off his 4-year-old season following his dominate sophomore year was upset by Backstreet Shadow (Tim Tetrick) at Tioga Downs Sunday (June 22).
Backstreet Shadow ($10) and This Is The Plan (Yannick Gingras) both timed the gate perfectly, with Backstreet Shadow making the lead through the first turn before the first quarter in :26.2. He would face no pressure through a :54.2 half, but None Bettor A (Andrew McCarthy) would pull the pocket heading up the backstretch, but he could not collar the leader, only getting within three-quarters of a length.
Heading around the last turn, a host of others took their shot at the leader, but to no avail with Backstreet Shadow drawing off to win by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:49. None Bettor A held on to second, and after being parked the mile, Bettor’s Wish (Dexter Dunn) closed to be third.
Backstreet Shadow, a 5-year-old by Shadow Play, now has earnings just shy of $575,000 with 22 wins in 46 starts for trainer Ron Burke and owners Burke Racing Stable LLC, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Larry Karr, and J&T Silva-Purnel & Libby.
Three divisions of the $50,000 Graduate Series for 4-year-old pacers also were contested Sunday.
In the first division, Workin Ona Mystery (Tetrick) put up a :27.3 final quarter to overtake Century Farroh (Wally Hennessey) at the wire in 1:50.
Century Farroh left with Aflame Hanover (Corey Callahan) in the early stages, realizing he couldn’t make the front, Hennessey guided Century Farroh into the pocket through a :26.1 first panel. As the field came through the stretch the first time, Century Farroh pulled the pocket on the leader and would clear the lead before the five-eighths marker.
Warrawee Ubeaut (Gingras) tried to follow Century Farroh’s cover, but was forced to be wrangled back into third heading into the clubhouse turn. She was tipped to the outside by Gingras by the half in :54.3 to take her shot at the leader. She would get within a neck of the lead, but Century Farroh fought back against her heading to three-quarters in 1:21.3.
As they came through the stretch, Workin Ona Mystery who had come three-wide off the final turn, made a big sweeping move through the center of the racetrack nailing Century Farroh on the wire. Shamwow (Dunn) closed from off the pace to finish third, Warrawee Ubeaut faded in the stretch to finish eighth.
Trained by Brian Brown, Workin On A Mystery has amassed $457,141 in earnings for owners Diamond Creek Racing, Stambaugh Leeman Stable, Alan Keith, and the Wingfield Brothers LLC. It was the first victory of the year for the 4-year-old son of Captaintreacherous.
In the second division, Hurrikane Emperor (Mark MacDonald) proved tough with a 1:48.1 victory.
Hurrikane Emperor would follow Captain Victorious (Gingras) around the first turn, clearing the lead just before the quarter of :26.4. Just before three-quarters, Hurrikane Emporer would have to deal with his first challenger of the race in the form of Respect Our Flag (Joe Bongiorno).
When the field moved passed the three-quarter pole in 1:21, Respect Our Flag faded making it a two-horse race as Captain Victorious stayed close to the leader from the pocket. Hurrikane Emporer was kept to task and won by three-quarters of a length for trainer John Mc Dermott.
Hurrikane Emperor is now two-for-two in 2020 with earnings of more than $400,000 for owners Jonathan Klee Racing, Kuhen Racing LLC, and William Garofalo.
Also on Sunday, 2019 Breeders Crown champion Dancin Lou (Brian Sears) remained unbeaten in 2020 with a powerful performance in the third division of the Graduate Series.
Parked through a :25.4 first quarter, Tetrick guided Best In Show to the lead, but would deal with immediate pressure from Dancin Lou who saved ground around the opening turn and took over the lead before a half in :53.3. Brassy Hanover (Scott Zeron) would grind away at the leader first-over heading the three-quarter pole in 1:21.1
Dancin Lou fought off all challengers under minimal urging from Sears, drawing off to win decisively by 2-1/2 lengths in 1:48.3. Covered Bridge (Gingras) came from out of the clouds to finish second, Brassy Hanover held on for third.
Dancin Lou ($3.40) is trained by Tahnee Camilleri for owners David Kryway and the 1362313 Ontario LTD group, both from Ontario. The son of Sweet Lou has made $617,409 lifetime.
Tioga Downs had another great handle of $388,049. Live racing returns on Monday (June 22) with a 12-race card starting at 4 p.m.