Purple Lord ($10.60) and driver Jim Pantaleano won the featured $16,667 Winners Over Handicap Trot at Tioga Downs on Friday, May 16.
Kinnder Thinktwice (Braxten Boyd) set fractions of :27.1, :56.2 and 1:24.4 before Purple Lord popped out of the pocket and stormed straight to the lead. Enola (Mike Merton) came flying late but Purple Lord prevailed by half a length in 1:54. Wheelzablazin (Colin Kelly) finished third more than two lengths behind.
After top three finishes in his last nine starts, Purple Lord broke through for his first seasonal score while making his Tioga debut for new connections. A career winner of more than $300,000, the five-year-old gelding by Tactical Landing is currently owned by trainer Mike Deters, along with John Spindler, Joel Warner and Michael Paulson.
Live harness racing resumes at Tioga Downs on Saturday, May 17, with a post time of 6:15 p.m.
(With files from Tioga Downs)