After a punishing early pace led to defeat in his previous outing, Fireyourguns ($9.30) bounced back with a 1:50.3 triumph in Sunday (July 19) afternoon's $12,000 Open Pace at Tioga Downs.
Jim Meittinis sent the six-year-old American Ideal gelding right to the front, working clear of Bettorsluckystreak (Jim Taggart Jr.) and Believe This Bob (Corey Braden) on the first turn. Fireyourguns set solid fractions of :26.2, :54.1, and 1:22 before facing a first-over challenge from Thunder Steeler (Dan Clements) on the far turn. Fireyourguns had no issues dismissing that challenger, edging away at the top of the stretch and prevailing by two and a quarter lengths. Eastend Eddie (Jim Marohn Jr.) swung three-wide off stalling cover to just take second, while Bettorsluckystreak was an all-out third off his pocket trip.
Trainer Terence McClory co-owns Fireyourguns with Jennifer and Robert Lowe.
The sub-featured $10,000 Open II Pace went to Elite Awards ($4.60, Taggart), who took charge with a circuit to go after yielding to Dreamlands Art (Brandon Simpson) in the early stages, only to hold off a late rally from that same rival for a 1:52.3 triumph. Joe Skowyra trains the four-year-old Powerful Toy gelding for owner Karen Walls.
Jim Marohn Jr. led all drivers with four wins on the 13-race card.
(Tioga Downs)