Favourite In The Spotlight N ($4.80) and driver Tyler Miller held on to win the $16,438 Fillies & Mares Winners Over Handicap Pace featured on Friday, June 14 at Tioga Downs.
The Stunning Nun N (Braxten Boyd) was first to the quarter in :28.1 before In The Spotlight N took over with a lap to go and led to the half in :57. Abby Rose (Ridge Warren) challenged for the lead heading down the backstretch, but In The Spotlight N shook her off and led to three-quarters in 1:25.3. As the distaffers reached the stretch, P L Princess C (Jeff Long) came flying late from the back of the six-pack, but In The Spotlight N prevailed by three-quarters of a length in 1:54.1. The Stunning Nun N finished third.
In The Spotlight N, a six-year-old mare by Bettors Delight, is owned by Pollack Racing and trained by Jeff Cullipher. She earned her first win of the season in her seventh start and now has 16 career victories with a bankroll topping the $250,000 mark.
Braxten Boyd drove three winners on the card and Mike Merton had a driving double. Jim McDonald had a training double.
Live harness racing returns to Tioga Downs on Saturday at 6:15 p.m.
(With files from Tioga Downs)