Vegas Ticket ($6.80) was a repeat winner in the $16,438 Winners Over Handicap Trot at Tioga Downs, taking the Saturday, May 11 feature in a new lifetime mark of 1:54.2 with Mike Merton in the bike for trainer Peter Pellegrino.
Discus Hanover (Tom Merton) went to the front and led the field of seven to the first quarter in :28, but outside assignee Vegas Ticket took control as they headed to the stands for the first time. Hockey Hanover (Greg Merton) then went first-over to challenge for the lead heading for the second turn. Vegas Ticket had a short lead to the half in :57.3 and they continued to battle down the backstretch. Vegas Ticket held command to three-quarters in 1:25 and shook off Hockey Hanover as they made the turn for home. The favourite then held off the late charge of Discus Hanover to win by three-quarters of a length, with Ima Diamond Babe (Braxten Boyd) finishing third.
Vegas Ticket is an eight-year-old Manofmanymissions gelding owned by Room4040 LLC Stables. With his back-to-back victories in the top trot at Tioga this month, he now has five wins in 11 starts this year and 24 career victories.
Live harness racing returns to Tioga Downs on Sunday, May 12 at 1 p.m.
(With files from Tioga Downs)