Tioga: Ocean Storm tops Friday's W.N. Reynolds Memorial victors

Tioga Downs played host for the W.N. Reynolds Memorial races for 2-year-olds on Friday (September 11).

Ocean Storm (Braxten Boyd) cruised to easy win in the $59,000 "Judge Moore" for trotting colts and geldings.

Ocean Storm ($2.42), making his first start since his win in the Grade 1 William Wellwood Memorial, went straight to the front and led to the quarter in 27 4/5. From there he reached the half in 57 2/5 and the three-quarters in 1:26. As they reached the stretch, Joseph The Great (Matt Kakaley) was the major danger, but he went on a break, which allowed Ocean Storm to win handily in 1:55 1/5. Southern Hanover (Corey Callahan) was third-placed-second and Wyoming (Johnathan Ahle) was elevated from fourth to third as the off-stride Joseph The Great was demoted from second to fifth.

Ocean Storm is a Chapter Seven-Empressive Hill colt trained by Cam Capone for owners ADH Holdings, Jeff Gural, Paul Kautz and breeder Jean-Pierre Barlon. It was his third win in four career starts.

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Celtic Wave (Corey Callahan) went gate-to-wire in the $52,500 "Tar Heel" for pacing colts and geldings.

Celtic Wave ($2.18) charged straight to the front and controlled the fractions of 28 1/5, 57 1/5 and 1:24 4/5. As they reached the stretch, eventual second-place finisher Captain Charlie (Braxten Boyd) came all out after the leader, but Celtic Wave was too strong and won by a length and a quarter in 1:52 3/5. Adios Hanover (Tyler Buter) finished third.

Celtic Wave is Captaintreacherous-Certified Ideal gelding. He is owned by Kiefer Elite Bldstock, Theresa Donnelly and trainer John Berger. It was his fifth career victory.

Cabaletta Hanover (Matt Kakaley) charged late to capture the $57,100 "Meda" for trotting fillies.

Slave To Fashion (Ray Schnittker) cut opening-half panels of 27 1/5 and 56 4/5 while Cabaletta Hanover ($5.82) made her move first-up going down the backstretch. Slave To Fashion had a short lead to three-quarters in 1:25 4/5, but in the stretch Cabaletta Hanover took over the lead and held off a late move made by second-place finisher Eternal Light (Johnathan Ahle) to win by a quarter of a length in 1:56 3/5. Native Pride (Tyler Buter) finished third.

Cabaletta Hanover is a daughter of Captain Corey-Caviart Jenny owned by Steven Salerno and trainer Emily Bost. It was her third career win.

Boyd drove six winners on the card. The "Michigan Missile" got his other wins with Sweet Pete PV, I'm A Believer, Raspalia N, Vel Cinderella and Fox Valley Mamba.

Tioga Downs returns to live racing on Saturday (September 12) at 6:15 p.m. (EDT).

--edited press release (Tioga Downs)--