Tioga: Gimpanzee dominates in Graduate Trot

Gimpanzee made his 4-year-old return a winning one in the first of two $50,000 divisions of the Graduate Series at Tioga Downs on Sunday afternoon. Last year's Breeders Crown winner had Brian Sears in the bike as he dominated a field of five rivals through a 1:51 2/5 mile clocking.

Gimpanzee, trained by Marcus Melander, quickly overcame the outside draw in the field of six as he catapulted to the lead into the opening turn, placing Chin Chin Hall (Dexter Dunn) in the pocket through a 26 4/5 opening panel. From that point, there was little movement in the field as Sears allowed Gimpanzee to stroll around the track with fractions of 55 1/5 and 1:23 before kicking home in 28 2/5 to complete the track record performance.

The previous record for a 4-year-old horse was 1:52 1/5 set by Trolley in 2017. Emoticon Hanover is the all-age record-holder on the trot with a 1:50 2/5 best clocking.

A son of Chapter Seven, Giimpanzee has been dominant in New York State over the last two seasons, predominantly in Sire Stakes competition. He concluded his 3-year-old campaign with victories in the Breeders Crown and Matron Stakes for owners Courant Inc. and S R F Stable.

Gimpanzee paid $2.40 as the public choice, with Chin Chin Hall second and Reign Of Honor third in the mile.

Brian Sears and trainer Marcus Melander swept the two $50,000 Graduate divisions when Grand Swan overcame post seven and a long three-wide bid for the first turn lead to score in 1:53.

Grand Swan spotted quick leaver Pure Chance (Aaron Merriman) the early lead and then had to grind wide to get the top through a 27 3/5 opening quarter. With stablemate but non-entrymate Hatikvah looped in the process, Sears was able to use that horse to back down the middle half fractions with Grand Swan to 56 4/5 and 1:25, keeping Pure Chance pocketed.

In the homestretch, Merriman and Pure Chance, the 2-1 second choice, had every chance to get up but just couldn't pass the Indiana-bred Grand Swan, a daughter of Swan For All, and had to settle for second. Explosivebreakaway followed in third.

Grand Swan paid $3.70 in winning her debut for trainer Melander and owners Never 2 Late Stable, Grand Slam Racing, B. Soulsby and A. Weisenberg.