Tioga Downs closes out its 2012 race season

Tioga Downs wrapped up its final day of live racing for the 2012 racing season on Saturday night in Nichols, NY. As they have in years past, the harness racing fans of the Southern Tier showed their support for Tioga Downs and a crowd of more than 4,000 came out for closing night.

Hypnotic Blue Chip (inside) gets the win

In the $18,000 Open handicap pace, Hypnotic Blue Chip and Jim Meittinis took control of the field by an opening quarter in 26.2. Meittinis got a 28.4 second quarter breather by a half in 55.1 as A J Corbellie and Lewayne Miller began their first over journey from fourth. When the field went by three quarters in 1:22.4 Meittinis asked Hypnotic for more as A J Corbelli was right at his throat heading into the stretch. Halfway through the lane it looked as if A J Corbelli was going to get the best of Hypnotic Blue Chip, but the 6-year-old stallion fought back gamely on the wire to hold off A J Corbelli in 1:50.4. 

Kevin McDermott trains the 6-year-old son of Art Major – A Traceofmagic who captured his fifth victory of the season, and second consecutive win for owner Francis Azur, A J Corbelli was a game second for Lewayne Miller, while Stonebridge Tonic (Jim Marohn Jr.) used a pocket trip to finish third. Hypnotic Blue Chip returned $3.10 for a two dollar win payoff as the public’s choice.

In the $18,000 fillies and mares open handicap pace, Southwind Trini (Joe Pavia Jr.) skimmed the pylons to find room late in the stretch to win in 1:53. Pavia kept Southwind Trini off the early pace through fractions of 27.1, 56.4, and 1:24.4 as All About Kisses (Mike Simons) were on the front end. Around the final turn, Fern Paquet Jr. pulled Do Me Honor out of the two hole to challenge the leader which left a lane up the inside with All About Kisses drifting off the rail.

Paquet could not get by the leader in deep stretch as Simons nipped him on the wire for Southwind Trini's seventh win of the year. Rob Harmon trains the 4-year-old daughter of Rocknroll Hanover – Tattoo Hanover for Karma Racing Inc. of Florida. Do Me Honor got up for second, while All About Kisses hung tough for third.

Jimmy Marohn, Jr. wins Driver of the Year

Jimmy Marohn Jr. capped off the 2012 race season at Tioga Downs as the leading driver, while Ron Burke held off Jamie Paquet by two wins as 2012 leading trainer. Ron Burke also captured pacer of the year honors with Eastend Eddie while Spice It Up Lindy was named 2012 trotter of the year at Tioga Downs. 

Ron Burke's second trainer Keith Kamann accepted the awards for trainer Ron Burke at Tioga Downs.  

Keith Kamann (left) accepts Trainer of the Year award for Ron Burke

Tioga Downs would like to thank all of its fans and horsemen who helped make the 2012 racing season at Tioga Downs a success. For more information on Tioga Downs please visit us on our website at www.tiogadowns.com .