Sophomore pacing fillies stand out at Tioga Downs

Nichols, NY – New York’s finest harness racing sophomore pacing fillies made their annual stop at Tioga Downs for a pair of $60,300 divisions of the NYSS and the top two gals in the program as freshmen continued their dominance at three.

Twin B Joe Fresh (Roll With Joe) was last year’s champ and is two for two in the program for 2023 after overcoming the outside post in today’s race as the 1-10 favorite for driver Jason Bartlett. Leaving for position, Bartlett settled his charge in fourth as Rock My Socks used rail position to park a rival through the :54.1 half, Bartlett’s cue to move over a lane to protect an eventual three-wide brush by the tiring leaders before the 1:22 three panels. The rest of the ride was easy as Twin B Joe Fresh coasted in through a :28.1 end to the 1:50.1 mile to hold the stalking Vivian’s Dream (Brian Sears) at bay.

TWIN B JOE FRESH REPLAY

Chris Ryder trains the winner for his own interests along with partners Dexter Dunn, Perry Trebotica and Barry Spak.

Jack Pelling drove the 2-5 favorite Earthwindfire (Cattle Wash) like she was the best, protecting rail position early on then setting sensible fractions to win by a measured length in a career best 1:50.4. Sweet Home was a game first over to be second in this one for Sears.

The winner, second in last year’s final, is trained in the Brett Pelling barn for owners Mel Segal, Kentuckiana Racing Partners and Tulip Racing, the same group behind the 2022 Dan Patch Horse of the Year Test Of Faith. Stephen Dye bred the American Ideal half-sister to world champion Cattle Wash and Breeders Crown winner Niki Hill.

EARTHWINDFIRE REPLAY

by Nick Salvi, for Tioga Downs