Harper Lee and Mike Micallef paced home late through the stretch to capture the $15,000 Fillies and Mares Class A Handicap on Friday night at Tioga Downs
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The favourite, Four Starz Horndog (Howard Parker), took control of the field past the three-eighth’s pole through fractions of :26.4, :56, and 1:23.1 before tiring on the lead and giving way to the first over challenge of Gerries Madison (Jim Taggart Jr.). Micallef was just buying his time second over and as the field reached the head of the stretch, Harper Lee was in full attack and captured victory in 1:52.4. Penny Pincher (Corey Braden) threw in a late challenge, but came up short and held to settle for place, while Gerries Madison hung on for third.
Harper Lee, a four-year-old daughter of Real Artist-Yankee Fresca, established a new lifetime mark with the victory for trainer Paul Blumenfeld, and rewarded her backers with a $55.00 mutuel return for the win.
(Tioga Downs)