A little racing luck and a strong closing kick propelled Brenda Messenger and Scott Woogen's Im Fabulous ($12.40) past odds-on favourite Detroit Rapper to take Saturday (May 16) evening's $14,000 Open Trot at Tioga Downs.
Kyle DiBenedetto put the 10-year-old Andover Hall mare into play immediately, securing the pocket behind B L Class Act (John Cummings Jr.) before Detroit Rapper (Jim Meittinis) brushed from third to take charge after a :27.4 initial quarter. Relegated to third at that point, Im Fabulous saved ground through the race's middle stages, closing the pocket behind Detroit Rapper on the approach to the far turn as B L Class Act angled second-over behind Its Payday Friday (Dan Clements). While Detroit Rapper was able to turn aside the stout first-over challenge from Its Payday Friday after being pushed to a 1:25.4 three-quarter sectional, Im Fabulous kept the pocket closed to reclaim second from her tiring outside rivals. Once clear, she moved off the pegs, collaring the softened Detroit Rapper in the final yards to prevail by a half-length in 1:55.1. Oh No Three O (Jeffrey Long) saved ground throughout, advancing up the pegs late to take third.
Gary Messenger trains Im Fabulous, who has proven victorious in both her Tioga efforts this season in addition to 36 other triumphs through her career.
Driver Tom Jackson recorded a hat trick on the evening's 11-race program, partnering with Kerin Warner trainees Moon Lake ($5.60, 1:57.4) and Stormunn ($7.20, 1:55.2) as well as Shawn Simons trainee Ashcroft ($3.40, 1:58.4).
Sunday (May 17) afternoon's card features a quartet of New York Sire Stakes events for three-year-old pacing colts and geldings, with an assortment of Excelsior races comprising the undercard. Post time is 1:30 p.m. Eastern time.
(With files from Tioga Downs)