Narcian Jewel ($12) and driver Mike Merton won the $9,000 Fillies and Mares Open II Pace on Friday night (June 9) at Tioga Downs.
Tempus Seelster (Tom Jackson) forged to the lead just before the first quarter (:26.3). Shutthefrontdoor (Mike Simons) was parked out first-over and duelled with Tempus Seelster all the way to three-quarters. Merton sent Narcian Jewel three-wide at the top of the stretch and the six-year-old mare by Shadow Play charged right by to win in 1:52.1. K Js Caroline (Jim Taggart Jr.) came on late to finish second and Goldstar Rockette (Aaron Byron) ended up third.
Al Annunziata trains the winner for Blindswitch Racing Stable, Dolne Farm Services LLC, Louis Frascella, and Santo Farina.
Merton also drove two other winners on the night. His first win was in race two with Highly Thought Of ($9.40) holding off the late-running Always Dee One (Jim Taggart Jr.) in 1:53.1. Merton's third win was with Caviar Hall ($13) in the eighth race following the Open. The three-year-old filly went from fifth to first in the stretch just nipping Just Like Bud (Corey Braden) in 1:59.3.
Live racing returns to Tioga Downs on Saturday night with a 10-race card starting at 6:50 p.m.
(With files from Tioga Downs)