Sevenshotsobourbon (Tom Merton) took his first win since April as he won the hard-fought $15,068 featured conditioned trot at Tioga Downs on Saturday, June 28.
Full Scale (Tyler Miller) had the early lead, but Sevenshotsobourbon took over just before hitting the quarter first in :27.2. He slowed things with a :30 second quarter to lead to the half in :57.2 but was met with the challenge of Andover Contessa (Kyle DiBenedetto) heading down the backstretch to three-quarters in 1:25.3. Sevenshotsobourbon finally put away that rival in mid-stretch, then held off the late challenge of runner-up Woolco (Aaron Byron) to win by a length in 1:55.2. Andover Contessa finished third. The winner returned $9.
The consistent Sevenshotsobourbon, a seven-year-old Chapter Seven-Bourbon Belle gelding, has earned a cheque in 22 of his past 23 starts. He is two-for-12 this year for trainer Vern Smith and owner Lee Clarke. The gelding has won 23 times and earned $218,544 in 104 lifetime appearances.
Mike Merton had a driving grand slam. He was first with Java, Lion On Landon, Believer, and Enola.
The next card at Tioga Downs is set for Sunday, June 29 with a post time of 1 p.m.
(With files from Tioga Downs)