Hennessey Snags Tioga Features
Leading driver, Wally Hennessey drove the winners of both $6,000 co-features at Tioga Downs on Saturday (Sept. 5).
Tay Tay M ($3.20) took the featured fillies & mares pace.
Tay Tay M charged right to the front and led to the first quarter in :27.2. She slowed things down with a :29.2 second quarter, hitting the half in :56.4. Persistent Better was the first to make a move, going first-over from third and getting to within a length of the lead as Tay Tay M took them to three-quarters in 1:24.4.
As they made the turn for home Gigi From Figi made a three-wide bid, but Tay Tay M found another gear down the stretch and cruised to an easy win in 1:53.3. Gold Star Mysti finished second with Grant Me This taking third.
Tay Tay M is a six-year-old mare by Six Of Diamonds. She is owned by Richard Dunmire and trainer Kim Sears. It was her third straight win and fifth of the season. She now has 18 victories.
Prairie Fortune ($4.90) dominated the featured trot.
Prairie Fortune forged to the front but Choochoocharlie took the lead just before hitting the first quarter in :28. Prairie Fortune would re-take the top spot with a circuit to go and was first to the half in :57.4. Clarion Hall came first-up and challenged from second. Prairie Fortune led to three-quarters in 1:26.3.
As they went around the final turn, Prairie Fortune started to kick away. As they reached the stretch it would be a battle for second. Prairie Fortune breezed to the win in 1:55.3. Clarion Hall held on for second. Uncle Hanover finished third.
Prairie Fortune is an eight-year-old gelding by Arapa Victory. He is owned by Laurie Poulin and trainer Mike Deters. It was his fifth win this season. He now has 62 victories.
Mike Merton drove four winners on the card. He got his wins with Post Time Terror ($18.20), Queen Me Again ($16.00), Quick Deal ($3.20), and Runhappy Ten ($3.70).
Tioga Downs returns to live racing on Sunday (Sept. 6) with a 10-race card starting at 1 p.m. (EDT).
(Tioga Downs)