Huntressville A (Mike Merton) and Always B Nicky (Tyler Miller) took top honours in the co-features at Tioga Downs on Saturday (Aug. 19).
Huntressville A ($2.40) captured one of the two $11,000 featured paces, this one for fillies and mares.
Dark Eclipse N (Ridge Warren) was first to the quarter in :26.2. Fashionattiffanys (Bruce Alrich Jr.) went on by with a lap to go and she was first to the half in :55.2. Huntressville A made her move first-up going down the backstretch, but Fashionattiffanys was still first to three-quarters in 1:23.4. As they reached the stretch, Huntressville A took the lead but eventual second-place finisher Fasionattiffanys was game and battled back. Huntressville A was too strong and won in a lifetime-best of 1:53. Watch Me Ride (Jim Taggert Jr.) finished third.
Huntressville A (pictured above) is a four-year-old mare by Huntsville, owned by trainer Rob Harmon along with Diamond Racing Stable and Cusimano Stables. The win was her fifth this season and she now owns eight career victories.
Always B Nicky ($19.40) prevailed in the other $11,000 featured pace.
Groovy Man (Ridge Warren) led to the quarter in :27.3, half in :57.1 and three-quarters in 1:25. As they made the turn for home, Always B Nicky looked like a rocket and blew right on by to score in 1:54.1. Ship Disturber (Aaron Byron) came on to finish second. Coach Wendl (Mike Merton) was third best.
Always B Nicky is a three-year-old gelding by Always B Miki. He is trained by Erv Miller for owners David and John Prushnok. It was his fourth win of his career, all earned this season.
Mike Merton drove four winners on the card. He combined with trainer Gaston Lareau to win with Lion On Landon and Beguin Dugoutier. His other win was with Laurie Lee.
Live harness racing returns on Sunday (Aug. 20) with a 13-race card featuring two divisions of the New York Sire Stakes starting at 1 p.m.
(Tioga Downs)