Two AM and driver Tyler Buter won the co-featured $12,000 Open Trot at Tioga Downs on Sunday (May 20).
Dragin The Wagon (Aaron Byron) led the group into the first quarter in :28.3. Prairie Fortune (Jim Meittinis) took over and controlled the next fractions (:57, 1:26.3) and led going into the stretch.
Two AM ($5.90), who is owned by Gene Oldford Farms, L.M. Buter, and the Fuhs Stable while trained by Todd Buter, charged late in the stretch to win in 1:54.2. Prairie Fortune held on for second with Im Fabulous (Jim Taggart Jr.) finishing in third.
Two AM is a four-year-old gelding by Muscle Massive. He earned his 13th career victory in his season's debut.
Chantepleure and driver Austin Siegelman led gate-to-wire to take the matching Open Pace.
Chantepleure ($25.60) flew out of the gate like he had wings and led by five lengths by the first quarter. Owned by Rose Deluca and trained by Dawn Devaux, he controlled all the fractions (:27.2, :55.3, 1:22.2, 1:50.1). Major Leaguer (Jimmy Whittemore) came up to finish second with Doo Wop Hanover (Jim Meittinis) getting third.
Chantepleure is a seven-year-old gelding by Art Major. The win was his second of the season and his 20th lifetime. The time of 1:50.2 smashed his lifetime-best by three seconds.
Live racing resumes at Tioga Downs on Friday (May 25) at 6:15 p.m. Tioga Downs will celebrate Memorial Day a day early with a special Sunday night (May 27) card starting at 6:15 p.m. and fireworks following the live performance.
(With files from Tioga Downs)