Motown N (Jeff Long) and Dreams Beachboy (Wally Hennesey) were the winners of their respective $9,000 pacing features on Sunday (July 21) at Tioga Downs while trainer Joe Skowyra notched a five-bagger.
In the first feature, Motown N ($9.60) was an easy gate-to-wire winner, putting up fractions of :27.3, :56.3, 1:24.1 and 1:52. The seven-year-old Bettors Edge gelding was never threatened, beating out Sporty Redout (Fern Paquet Jr.) by 5-1/4 lengths, while Rockintouch finished third.
Motown N earned his first win of 2019 for owners Jennifer Lappe and Robert Santagata. He now owns 12 career victories.
Dreams Beachboy ($3.40) held on a late threat to win the second feature. After Legal Power (Paquet) went to the front to lead a :27.3 first quarter, Dreams Beachboy claimed control nearing the half in :55.3 and maintained it to three-quarters in 1:23.3.
Turning for home, Dreams Beachboy faced a late threat from Stick With Cramer (Andy Santeramo), but the seven-year-old Somebeachsomewhere gelding held his ground to win in 1:51.3. Stick With Cramer had to settle for second, while Jay Jay (Ronnie Morales III) finished third.
Dreams Beachboy earned his third win of the season for Crawford Farms Racing and trainer Gates Brunet. He now has 28 career victories.
Joe Skowyra led all trainers with five winners on the afternoon. He and driver Mike Merton teamed up for three winners: Mr Big Bucks ($2.80), Time Out Im Tired ($3.00) and The Spy ($6.10). Skowyra and Mike Simons united for wins with Freak On A Leash ($18.60) and Hugh Hefner N ($6.70).
Live racing returns to Tioga Downs with a special Monday matinee (July 22) featuring three divisions of New York Sire Stakes for freshman pacing fillies. Post time for the 13-race card is 1 p.m.
(with files from Tioga Downs)