Don’t Know Chip and Eastend Eddie capture Tioga Sunday features

Don't Know Chip and driver Mark MacDonald captured Sunday afternoon's $18,000 open trot at Tioga Downs in 1:54.2.

Leaving from post one in a full field of nine, MacDonald got away fourth as Aruba Vacation (Fern Paquet Jr.) led the field by an opening quarter in 28.

MacDonald moved Don't Know Chip to the outside to brush to the front, but Paquet would not release Don't Know Chip and forced him into the first over position by a half in 57.4.

Down the backside the duo raced side by side with Don't Know Chip continuing to take it to Aruba Vacation.

At the three quarter mile mark of the race in 1:25.4, Dan Noble sent Tac's Delight three wide to challenge the dueling leaders.

The trio entered the lane together, but Don't Know Chip would not be denied and continued to surge past the tiring Aruba Vacation in the lane to win by a length over Tac's Delight.

Aruba Vacation (Fern Paquet Jr.) hung on for third, while Spice It Up Lindy (Jim Meittinis) got up for fourth.

In the $18,000 open handicap pace, the public sent Big Bam Ray (Dan Noble) off as the 2-5 betting favorite in a field of nine.

Noble and Big Bam Ray were troubled with excess cover down the backside and were forced three wide as the field went by three quarters in 1:24.

The biggest threat to Noble and Big Bam Ray was Eastend Eddie who was being towed into the race every step sitting on Noble's helmet.

Down the stretch Noble began to open up four wide off the turn, but Marohn tipped five wide and surged by Big Bam Ray to win in 1:51.4. It was the second straight win in the open for Eastend Eddie, and his fourth straight at Tioga Downs.

Ron Burke trains the 4-year-old son of Million Dollar Cam – Armbro Cinema for Burke Racing and Weaver Bruscemi. Whogoesfirst (Mike Simons) finished third, while Yankees In Six (Corey Braden) rounded out the superfecta despite a tough first over trip.

Tioga Downs continues live racing on Thursday, July 19 at 6:50 pm featuring the Tompkins-Geers for 2-year-old colt and filly trotters. For more information on Tioga Downs please visit us on our website at www.tiogadowns.com .