Tioga: Rookies invade for Kindergarten Classic Series events

Tioga Downs welcomed 2-year-olds of both sexes and gaits for the third leg of the Kindergarten Classic Series on Friday night. All of the races carried purses of $10,000 and were held as non-wagering events.

Captain Barbossa (Andy McCarthy) won the colt and gelding pace from first-over in 1:52 2/5, defeating a closing Blank Stare (Jim Taggart Jr.) by a length and three-quarters. Ideal Perception (Matt Kakaley), who was sixth and last in the first-half of the mile, came on to get third.

A son of Captaintreacherous-Swinging Beauty, Captain Barbossa broke his maiden in his eighth chance and pushed his bankroll to $50,417. He's trained by Tony Alagna for owners Alagnafrankinthegym Stable, Robert Leblanc, and David Anderson.

Next up were the colt and gelding trotters, and All Rise, driven by Fern Paquet Jr. for trainer Homer Hochstetler, conveted a pocket trip into a 1:57 3/5 win. He downed Overserved (Kakaley) by a length and a half, with pace-setter Coventry Hall (Wally Hennessey) backing up to third.

All Rise is a Conway Hall-Berdine Hanover colt who is owned by breeders Connie Hochstetler and Robert Buddig and their partner Allen Schwartz. All Rise now has a record of 2-2-0 from eight tries, and he has pocketed $20,150.

The filly trot went to Winter Olympics (Hennessey) in front-stepping fashion as she was in control at the 28 4/5 quarter, 58 4/5 half, 1:27 2/5 three-quarters, and 1:56 2/5 finish. She was 2 3/4 lengths better than Allswell Hanover (Kakaley), with Ready To Rock (David Miller) back in third.

Trainer Ake Svanstedt also owns Winter Olympics, a daughter of Muscle Mass-Olympic Dreams. She has been victorious in two of her four trips behind the gate, and she has now earned $40,559.

Rounding out the Kindergarten winners was Anthem (D. Miller) in the filly pace. Only three were entered, and Anthem trailed Nancy Johansson trainees JK Finendandy (Kakaley) and Love For Sail (McCarthy) until the late going when she rallied by the pair to win by a quarter of a length in 1:54 4/5. Love For Sail was second, with JK Finendandy third.

The victorious daughter of Sweet Lou-Monkeys Can Sing is trained by Nifty Norman for owner Cool Cat Racing, Inc. Anthem made her second appearance in the winner's circle from eight efforts, and she has now stashed away $24,900.

The Kindergarten Classic Series resumes at the Meadowlands in October with the fourth, fifth, and sixth legs going on October 11, 18, and 25, respectively. The finals are slated for November 2.