Fans flock to Sunday's camel and ostrich races

Dixie Chick wins the 2nd Annual Ostrich Race

Tioga Downs held its second annual Camel and Ostrich races on Sunday afternoon in front of more than 5,700 eager fans.

The ostrich race was held after race number four on the card, while the camels hit the track after race number eight. In the three entry ostrich event, Dixie Chick left alertly from the rail and never relinquished her lead.

In the featured four entry camel event, My Lovely Humps easily dominated after Lawrence Of Arabia refused and Humpty Dumpty and Pepi Lepew seemed to have a few steering issues. 

My Lovely Humps wins the 2nd Annual Camel Race

Eastend Eddie and Jim Marohn Jr. took home Sunday afternoon's $16,000 open handicap pace at Tioga Downs. 

Starting from post position number seven in a field of eight, Marohn backed Eastend Eddie off to last as the field was led to the quarter in 27 by Sheer Brilliance (Aaron Byron). The 6-5 betting favorite Pence Hanover (Andrew McCarthy who was assigned the eight post, was parked and pressing on the leader by the half mile mark of the race in 55.2. Down the backside, Corey Braden pulled Fireyourguns three wide through a third panel in 27.3 but could not even move into the second position past Pence Hanover by three quarters in 1:23. Around the final turn Marohn was still sitting last as the field straightened up in the lane, and down the stretch Eastend Eddie exploded five wide to win by a length and three quarters in 1:51.2.

Ron Burke trains the 5-year-old gelded son of Million Dollar Cam – Armbro Cinema for Burke Racing, Weaver Bruscemi of Pennsylvania. Eastend Eddie who was crowned pacer of the year last year at Tioga Downs, posted the fourth win in 18 seasonal starts and with the win increased his seasonal earnings to more than $41,000.

Sheer Brilliance and Aaron Byron despite taking pressure the entire mile hung on for second, while May Day (Jim Taggart Jr.) finished third.

Tioga Downs continues live racing action on Friday, June 28^th with a post time of 6:50pm, for more information on Tioga Downs please visit us online at www.tiogadowns.com.