Andreios Kardia and driver Aaron Byron won an action-packed Tioga Downs Open Handicap Pace on Sunday afternoon (July 23) while leading driver Mike Simons was a five-time winner on the program.
Golden Gun (John MacDonald) took the lead into the :26.3 first quarter of the $12,000 feature race, but then Fireyourguns (Scott Coulter) took over command and led into the :55.3 half. Andreios Kardia went first-over on the backstretch and took over at three-quarters in 1:22.3. Owned by Ina Madill of Thornton, Ont. and trained by Jeff Byron, the six-year-old Badlands Hanover gelding opened up by two lengths at the top of the stretch and held on after a late charge by Time Out Im Tired (Jim Marohn Jr). Andreios Kardia finished the mile in 1:50.3, paying $9.30 to win. Time Out Im Tired finished half a length behind in second with Bettorsluckystreak (Jim Taggart Jr.) taking third.
Mike Simons earned victories with Y S Joe ($13.60), Rebel Jet ($5.70), Abreathofreshart ($3.00), No Bad Dreams ($3.30), and M G Home Run ($7.40). He now has 56 wins at Tioga Downs for the season.
One True Friend was victorious in the special $5,000 non-betting Racing Under Saddle (RUS) trot at Tioga. The lady riders put on a great performance at the Nichols, New York track on Sunday. One True Friend (Hillary Hartnett) went gate-to-wire putting up the fractions :30.1, 1:00.2, 1:30.3 and 2:03.3. Admirable Hanover (Vanessa Karlewicz) followed the whole way to finish second. Railroad Lane (Michelle Miller) was third. Iron Will (Heather Reese) came in fourth. Boy Can She Fly (Codie Smith) was fifth with Stirling Accord (Sasha Moczulski) finishing sixth.
There will be no live racing at Tioga Downs on Friday (July 28) due to a 38 Special concert. Live racing returns on Saturday (July 29) with a post time of 6:50 p.m.
(With files from Tioga Downs)