Prairie Fortune used his closing skills to perfection en route to capturing Saturday’s $12,000 Open Handicap Trot at Tioga Downs.
Dragin The Wagon (Aaron Byron) led them to a first quarter of :27.1 before Taco Tuesday (Jim Taggart, Jr.) dashed by to lead them through middle splits of :55.3 and 1:24.2.
Prairie Fortune ($4.70) went first-over from third just before three-quarters. Owned by Laurie Poulin and trainer Mike Deters, he would charge to the front and hold off the late charge of second place finisher Freddie Mac (Mike Merton) to win in 1:53.4. Dragin The Wagon finished third.
Prairie Fortune is a seven-year-old gelding by Arapa Victory. He won for the third time this season. and won for the 50th time in his career.
Shutthefrontdoor (Fern Paquet, Jr.) edged out HP Sissy (Jim Meittinis) to claim the Fillies & Mares Open 1 Handicap ($12,000).
HP Sissy led to a first quarter of :26.2 and the half in :56. Shutthefrontdoor went first over to stick a head in front while hitting three-quarters in 1:25.1. The two horses looked like they were joined at the hip as the went around the final turn. HP Sissy regained a short lead as they reached the stretch.
Shutthefrontdoor, who is trained by Guy Howard for owners Brianne Good and Richard Villeneuve, surged enough in deep stretch to win in 1:53.3. HP Sissy was a stubborn second with K Js Caroline (Jim Taggart, Jr.) getting third money.
Shutthefrontdoor is an eight-year-old mare by Well Said. It was her first win of 2019 and her 24th career victory.
The huge opening day crowd enjoyed a large display of Fireworks after racing concluded.
Tioga Downs returns to live racing on Sunday with a 10-race card and a special starting time of 1:15 p.m.
(Tioga Downs)