McCarthy brings out his magnum at Tioga

In the featured $14,000 Open Handicap Pace Sunday at Tioga Downs, Andrew McCarthy and Magnum benefited from a two-hole trip through a blistering opening half to score a victory in 1:53.2. It was the initial win of the season at Tioga Downs for McCarthy, who has confirmed he will be a regular pilot here on Saturdays and Sundays.

Whatanartist and Jordan Stratton cut torrid fractions of :27, :54.4 and 1:24 before tiring in the stretch to finish fifth. McCarthy and Magnum used this to their advantage and sprinted home through the stretch to win by one length over Southbound Trucker and Triple Bars, who dead heated for the place spot.

It was the third win of the season for the 7-year-old son of Cambest, who is trained by Mark Ford for All Star Racing Inc. of Towacco, N.J. With the victory, Magnum increased his season’s bankroll to more than $24,000, and more than $362,000 in his career. In the first division of a late-closer for 3-year-old pacing fillies, it was Empire Breeder’s Classic eligible Up Front Kellie Jo who scored her second straight victory at Tioga, this one in 1:54.4.

The 3-year old Bettor’s Delight-Life’s Highway filly has stamped herself a major contender amongst the 25 fillies eligible for next weekend’s Empire Breeder’s Classic Eliminations. She is trained by Perry Simser for Ed Mullinax of Amherst, Ohio, and driver Dan Cappello Jr. has been in the sulky for her two wins this season.

Bruce Clarke posted a driving triple on the 13-race card, while McCarthy earned a driving double. (Tioga Downs)

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