Northern Dali and driver Corey Braden were victorious in $9,000 Fillies & Mares Open 2-3 Handicap Pace featured at Tioga Downs on Friday (August 24).

Milky Way Rae (Aaron Byron) went to the front and carved out all the early fractions (:27.1, :57, 1:24.4). However, Northern Dali ($12.40), who is owned by JP Houle Stables and trained by Gaston Lareau, took the lead in mid-stretch and held off a late charge by second-place finisher Oneida Blue Chip (Mike Simons) to win in 1:53.2. A Wish For Wings (Fern Paquet Jr.) got third money.

Northern Dali is a six-year-old mare by Dali. The win was her seventh this season and she now has 37 victories on her lifetime record.

The race for the driver title remains wide open. Jim Taggart Jr. now leads with 51 wins. Mike Merton, Jim Meittinis and Aaron Byron are all tied for second with 49 victories. Andy Santeramo, a four-time Friday night winner, finds himself in fifth with 44 wins.

Live racing continues at Tioga Downs on Saturday with a 12-race card starting at 6:15 p.m.

(With files from Tioga Downs)