Gigi From Fiji won the $12,000 Fillies & Mares Open Pace featured at Tioga Downs on Friday (June 21).
Truth And Liberty (Mike Simons) put up all the early fractions (:27, :55.1, 1:23.2). Gigi From Fiji ($4.60), who is co-owned by trainer Mike Deters, followed in second the whole trip. As the field reached the stretch, she came flying out of the pocket. She took the lead but and dug down deep to hold off the late charge of second-place finisher Marvalous Jet (Mike Merton) and third-place finisher Gold Star Mysti (Corey Braden) to win in 1:52.
Gigi From Fiji is a five-year-old mare by Ponder. The win was her seventh this season
and she now owns 16 career victories. Deters shares ownership of the winner with Lawrence Barnett, Joel Warner and John Spindler.
Fern Paquet Jr. drove three winners on the night. He got his wins with Workin For Peanuts ($8.30), Studio City ($4.20), and Check Mach ($7.40).
Mike Merton and Wally Hennessey have driven 32 winners each to lead all drivers at the meet. Jim Taggart Jr. is currently in third-place with 18 victories. Fern Paquet Jr. (17) and Andy Santeramo (16) round out the top five.
(With files from Tioga Downs)