Harness racing driver Aaron Byron notched his 2,000th career win charging late with Elm Grove Maddy (Stonebridge Terror) at Tioga Downs on Saturday (July 30).
Cheers For Chips (Corey Braden) laid down all the early fractions (:27.2, :56.2, 1:25.0). As they made the turn for home Paloma Ruiz (Jacob Cutting) had a short lead but then Elm Grove Maddy came flying with second place finisher Hypnotic Racer (Wally Hennessey) in deep Stretch. Elm Grove Maddy ($15.80) gave one last lunge and gave Byron win number 2000.
ELM GROVE MADDY REPLAY
Abby Rose (Heston Blue Chip, Jacob Cutting) surged late to win the featured $10,000 featured fillies and mares pace.
Don’t Chip Me (Wally Hennessey) was first to the quarter in :27.1. Georgie (Aaron Byron) took over with a lap to go and led to the half in :56.0. Gold Star Igotdis (Corey Braden) came flying first-up down the backstretch as Abby Rose ($5.00) followed cover. Georgie led to three-quarters in 1:24.4.
As they made the turn for home Gold Star Igotdis took over the lead as Abby Rose made her move going three-wide and blew right on by to win in a lifetime best of 1:53.1. Gold Star Igotdis had to settle for second money. Bye Bye Michelle (Brandon Parker) finished third.
ABBY ROSE REPLAY
Abby Rose is a 4-year-old mare. She is owned by Mali Norbye and trained by Randy Taft. It was her fifth win this season and her tenth career victory.
Tioga Downs returns to live racing on Sunday (July 31) with a 13-race card starting at 1:00 p.m.
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For complete race results click here.
by John Horne, for Tioga Downs