Tioga Downs season kicks off

The Hunt Is On (Huntsville) and driver Jim Taggert Jr. and Secret Or Not (Muscleprinctonian) and driver Mike Merto) grabbed the harness racing co-features on opening night at Tioga Downs on Saturday (May 6).

The Hunt Is On ($6.70) took the $10,000 featured fillies & mares’ pace.

Saint Lads Bijou (Wally Hennessey) led to the quarter in:27.3.  She used a :30.1 second quarter to be first to the half in :57.4.  She cruised to three-quarters in 1:25.3.

As they reached the stretch The Hunt Is On popped the pocket and came all out after Saint Lads Bijou and blew right on by to win in a lifetime best of 1:54.3.  Tigers Watching N (Brandon Parker) fired late and finished second.  Saint Lads Bijou had to settle for third.

The Hunt Is On is a 4-year-old mare.  She is owned by Devan Flood and trained by Gary Gibson.  It was her first win this season and her fifth career victory.

THE HUNT IS ON REPLAY

Secret Or Not ($3.80) captured the $10,000 featured trot.

The Boss Man (Wally Hennessey) went straight to the front.  Secret Or Not took control just before hitting the quarter first in :28.1.  He was first to the half in :57.4 and first to three-quarters in 1:27.2.

As they made the turn for home The Boss Man Popped the pocket but had to settle for second as Secret Or Not dug in and equaled his lifetime best mile in 1:56.0.  Molly’s Jail (Jim Taggart Jr.) finished third.

Secret Or Not is a 5-year-old gelding.  He is owned by Greg Gardner and trained by Todd Buter.  It was his second win of the season and his 17^th career victory.

SECRET OR NOT REPLAY

Live racing returns to Tioga Downs on Sunday (May 7) with a 13-race card starting at 1 p.m.

For more information click here.

For complete race results, click here.

by John Horne, for Tioga Downs