Makadushin N Cheez, driven by Ridge Warren priced at $3.70, achieved a gate-to-wire victory in the $19,444 Open Handicap Trot at Tioga Downs on Saturday, July 27.
The five-year-old gelding established an early lead with a swift :28 opening quarter and then took a breather in the second quarter, reaching the half in :58.1. Entering the Open category following a win at Tioga the previous Saturday, the favourite began to pull away from his competitors as he accelerated down the backstretch, clocking three-quarters in 1:26. He ultimately secured the win by almost three lengths, finishing with a career-best time of 1:54.4. May Baby, driven by Jim Taggert Jr., maintained the second position from the pocket, while Sevenshotsobourbon, piloted by Tom Merton, rounded out the top three.
Makadushin N Cheez, sired by Conway Hall, is trained by David Dewhurst for his own interests, as well as those of Joe and Molly D'Agostino and Phil Kadushin. With this victory, Makadushin N Cheez has achieved four wins this season out of 15 starts, bringing his career total to 30 victories.