Miki Ray and driver Mike Merton prevailed in the $33,803 Jack Rossi Memorial Claiming Series final at Tioga Downs on Friday, June 26.
Bad Boy Too (Ron Cushing) led to the quarter in :27 then Gotta Go Gram (Kyle Swift) took control with a circuit to go and clocked the half in :54.3. Merton made his move with Miki Ray from fifth heading down the backstretch and challenged Gotta Go Gram as they raced by three-quarters in 1:22.3. The battle up front continued all the way down the stretch, with Miki Ray surging late to defeat that foe by a neck at the wire in 1:52 flat. Bad Boy Too finished third.
Miki Ray a five-year-old Always B Miki-Victoria Semalu gelding, had top three finishes in the previous legs of the series for $12,500 USD claimers while competing for trainer Darran Cassar and owner Jessica Cassar of Columbus, New Jersey. He paid $5.10 to win as the bettors' choice in the final.
The $11,972 series consolation went to the Daniel Gill-trained Ouchie in 1:52.2, with Ron Cushing aboard the winner owned by Adam Friedland of Brooklyn, New York.
Tioga Downs newcomer Glittering Hope topped a quartet of Open pacing mares in 1:52.1 as the heavy favourite in the $20,423 event. Kyle Swift was the winning driver for trainer Maria Alvarez and Friendship Stables of Mountain Lakes, New Jersey. Aint She Pretty (Ridge Warren) and Im A Believer (Ron Cushing) finished more than a length back in second and third, respectively.
Live harness racing returns to Tioga Downs on Saturday, June 27 starting at 6:15 p.m.
(Tioga Downs & Standardbred Canada)