Prairie Panther and driver Wally Hennessey won the co-featured $12,000 Open Pace Handicap at Tioga Downs on Saturday (June 15).
Music Is Art (Jim Taggart Jr.) led the group to a first quarter in :26.2. Prairie Panther ($3.40), who is owned by trainer Mike Deters and Laurie Poulin, took the lead as they went by the stands for the first time. He set the pace as they hit the half in :55.1 and three-quarters in 1:23.1. As they reached the stretch, he put on the after-burners and cruised to a five-length win and a seasonal-best time of 1:50.4. Motown N (Jeff Long) was second with Americanprimetime (Mike Merton) finishing third.
Prairie Panther is a five-year-old gelding by Royal Millennium. The win was his sixth this season and he now owns 27 career victories.
Jack Rules and driver Andy Santeramo were victorious in the matching Open Handicap Trot.
Tag Up And Go (Mike Merton) led the group to a first quarter of :28 and the half in :58. BJ Lorado (Jim Taggart Jr.) would take over before hitting three-quarters in 1:25.3. Jack Rules ($28.20), who is owned DJS Stables and trained by Santeramo, was third after three-quarters. He went three-wide down the stretch and held off the late charge of second-place finisher Prairie Fortune (Jim Meittinnis) to win in a seasonal-best of 1:55. Tag Up And Go held on for third.
Jack Rules is a five-year-old gelding by Crazed. The win was his seventh this season and 22nd lifetime.
Wally Hennessey drove four winners on the night. He earned his other wins with Campbellini ($5.70), Celebrity Lover ($3) and Groovey Kid ($9.90).
Live racing resumes at Tioga Downs on Sunday (June 16) featuring three divisions of the New York Sire Stakes for sophomore pacing colts and geldings. The 13-race card also features the return of wiener dog races. Post time is 1 p.m.
(With files from Tioga Downs)