Tioga: Grand Circuit rolls into town Sunday

Tioga Downs has an action-packed day set for Sunday with the Grand Circuit stakes Roll With Joe FFA pace, Artiscape FFA pace for mares, Miss Versatility for trotting mares and the Empire Breeders Classic (EBC) for New York-sired 3-year-old pacing colts and fillies.

The $170,000 Roll With Joe (race 7) features 2018 Horse Of The Year McWicked, who when he looks down the starting gate from post six will be pleased not to see this season’s division leader Lather Up among the competition. McWicked, who at the ripe old age of 8 can still make his own luck, remains a formidable opponent for anyone and will likely be the public’s choice here. Brian Sears has the drive for trainer Casie Coleman and owner Ed James as SSG Stables.

The $137,000 Artiscape (race 5) saw only four rivals drop in to take on the current “Queen of the Course”, Shartin N. While her story may by now be familiar to racing fans, Shartin's ability is clearly extraordinary. She became the fastest female Standardbred ever via her 1:46 4/5 win at The Meadowlands in the Lady Liberty, the 12th success in 13 tries this season for Shartin and owners Richard Poillucci, Jo Ann Looney-King and driver Tim Tetrick. Jim King, Jr is the trainer.

The $40,000 third of four Miss Versatility legs (race 4) offers eight solid mare trotters with last week’s Joie De Vie stakes winner Custom Cantab right back at Tioga to take on seven worthy rivals. Custom Cantab overcame a bad post, slight interference early on and a first over move into Atlanta to win impressively at long odds last Sunday. She will not offer that type of value this time around as she begins from the rail for Dave Miller and trainer Chris Beaver, who owns her in partnership with Don Robinson and RBH Ventures.

Zero Tolerance (Dave Miller) is clearly the girl to beat in the $232,700 EBC filly final (race 8). She has ruled the NYSS scene all season and raced competitively in Grand Circuit stakes as well. Joe Holloway trains Zero Tolerance for Val D’Or Farms and Ted Gewertz.

The $238,200 EBC colt final (race 9) could be a showcase for a small town colt with big talent to shine. There may be no defense strong enough to thwart Hickfromfrenchlick who starts from post 1 for Matt Kakaley. Since paired with Kakaley, the “Hick” is shooting 100% from the field while needing no assists or picks as he’s taken it right down the floor from the word go each time. The money is on the line here and it’s a chance to show just how clutch the Ray Schnittker-trained colt is under pressure. Nolamaura Racing, LLC and TC Spatorico share ownership with Schnittker.

First post on the Sunday card is 1:00pm.

-edited release (Tioga)