Icommandmyspirit just hangs on in 1:50.1

Taking advantage of a pocket trip, Icommandmyspirit ($5.50) kicked on in the final yards to defeat 6-5 pacesetting favourite Arodasi in Friday (September 4) evening's $14,000 Mares Open Pace at the harness racing meeting at Tioga Downs.

 

The 5-year-old Dragon Again mare outsprinted K J's Caroline (Jim Taggart, Jr.) and Southwind Trini (Jim Marohn, Jr.) en route to the first turn, working clear through a :26.3 initial quarter before yielding to Arodasi (Mike Simons), who brushed aggressively from fourth with a circuit to go.

 

Icommandmyspirit drafted along through a :55.3 middle half before John Cummings, Jr. turned up the pressure on Arodasi off the far turn.

 

The two dueled in upper stretch, with Icommandmyspirit ultimately prevailing in 1:50.1 by half a length.

 

Southwind Trini held third off her tracking bid, while Mach It a Par (Dan Clements) failed to pose any threat throughout.

K J's Caroline faded to finish last of the quintet.

 

Ross Croghan trains Icommandmyspirit for owner/breeder Cheryl Costello.

 

Jim Marohn, Jr. led all drivers with four wins on the 11-race program.

 

He reeled off a natural hat trick to kick off the evening, winning aboard Hercu Lindy ($6.70, 1:57), Twin B Alibi ($7.40, 1:56.3), and Frenchmen ($2.80, 1:56.4) before teaming up with Somedreamsomewhere ($6.20, 1:55) in the evening's ninth race.

 

Live racing returns to Tioga Downs on Saturday (September 5) evening, with post time at 6:15 p.m. Eastern.