Five well-matched pacers lined up for the Open II Pace on Monday's (Sept. 6) special Labor Day card at Tioga Downs. After an unexpected downpour, Agedchedar Havover emerged as the mud-covered winner.

Agedchedar Hanover, a son of Betterthancheddar and Artistic Hanover, blasted off the gate and went straight to the point. Mississippi Rabbit brushed to the top in the first turn, getting the opening quarter in :27:1. As the field passed the stands, favourite Mach West swept by the top two, shuffling the Jim McDonald-trained Agedchedar Hanover to third.

The order remained unchanged as Mach West took the field to the half in :56.1 and three-quarters in 1:24.3. Action picked up in the final turn as Agedchedar Havover suddenly found himself ahead of only one rival when the field turned for the wire.

Driver Braxten Boyd never panicked, finding room as Mach West tired, and guided Agedchedar Hanover toward the pylons. The five-year-old gelding responded, hitting the wire in front in 1:53. Agedchedar Hanover paid $5.70 as the 9-5 second choice.

Boyd swept the early daily double and finished the card with three driving wins. Trainer Jim McDonald also had three wins on the program.

THROUGH THE SHADES: Milestone watch continues for Tioga Downs' leading driver, Wally Hennessey, who is closing in on 11,000 career driving wins. Hennessey was inducted into the Harness Racing Museum and Hall Of Fame in 2007 and, at the conclusion of Monday's card, his win total sits as 10,980. Tioga Downs resumes live racing next weekend, racing on Saturday (6:15 p.m.) and Sunday (1 p.m.).

(Tioga Downs)