Milky Way Rae (Aaron Byron) captured the fillies and mares featured Open 2 Pace ($9,000), on Friday (May 25) at Tioga Downs.
K Js Caroline (Mike Merton) went right to the lead and set all the early fractions (:26.2, :55.4, 1:23.4). She was pressured by Ask Queenie (Jim Taggart Jr.) all the way around the final turn.
Meanwhile, Milky Way Rae ($10.00) watched all the action from the pocket seat. Owned by Fortunate One LLC and trained by Tony Dinges, the five-year-old American Ideal mare made her move after Ask Queenie went on a break. Milky Way Rae zoomed to the front and won in a career-best time of 1:52.4. Super Soph (Jim Meittinis) came on late to finish second. Beyonces Rockn (Kyle DiBenedetto) took third.
Milky Way Rae notched win number two of the season and her 18th career victory.
Aaron Byron and Mike Merton each won two on the night. They are tied atop the Tioga driver standings with 11 wins a piece. Jim Taggart Jr. and Jim Meittinis also won two races on the night. They are tied for third in the standings with eight wins each.
(With files from Tioga Downs)