LRL Racing, LLC's Cracker Coffee proved a gritty winner in Friday evening's featured $13,000 Mares Open 1 Pace at Tioga Downs, giving driver Mike Merton one of his five wins on the 11-race card.

Merton sent the seven-year-old Six of Diamonds mare to the front from the outset, using the entirety of the first turn to clear K Js Caroline (Jim Taggart, Jr.) through a :26.3 first quarter before pulling back the pace. With three-eighths of the mile to go, Cracker Coffee ($5.60) faced stern first-over pressure from Shutthefrontdoor (Scott Coulter), and the two went on to duel through the far turn. Cracker Coffee not only outlasted her first-over foe, but also managed to stave off a late bid up the pegs from K Js Caroline to prevail by a neck in 1:53. Shutthefrontdoor leveled off from her uncovered bid and finished third.

Amber Buter trains Cracker Coffee, now an 18-time winner.

Merton also teamed up with Patti Harmon trainees Braveheartedmillie ($10.80, 1:53.1) and Jailhouse Jessica ($3.10, 1:55.2), as well as Courtney Wright trainee Gliding Boy ($76.50, 1:57) and Edgar "Sparky" Clarke trainee Zoraze ($10.00, 1:57).

Live racing returns to Tioga Downs on Saturday evening. Post time is 6:30 p.m.

(Tioga Downs)