Mighty Santana N and Agedchedar Hanover finished in a dead heat in the featured $7,800 pace at Tioga Downs on Saturday (July 10).
Agedchedar Hanover went to the front and led to the first quarter in :26.3. Mighty Santana N took over the lead with a lap to go and led to the half in :55.1. Just Dont Wait came first up to challenge for the lead as they headed for the last turn. Mighty Santana N was first to three-quarters in 1:23.1.
As they reached the stretch Agedchedar Hanover desperately needed racing room. Somehow he found an opening in late stretch and came flying at Mighty Santana N. The two geldings hit the line together and settled for a tie in 1:51.4. Just Dont Wait held for third.
Mighty Santana N is an 8-year-old gelding by Santana Blue Chip. He is owned by Joel Warner and trainer Mike Deters. It was his third win this season and 15th victory overall. Marcus Miller steered the $2.30 winner.
Agedchedar Hanover is a 5-year-old gelding by Betterthancheddar. He is owned by Donald McDonald and trained by Jim McDonald. It was win number two in 2021 and his 12th overall trip to the winner’s circle. Wally Hennessey drove the $3.00 winner.
Leading driver Wally Hennessey added four more wins to his total giving him 73 wins on the season. Braxten Boyd is second on the list with 43 victories. Mike Merton has reached the winner’s circle 32 times this season for third best. Jody Jamieson (24) and Marcus Miller (13) round the top five.
Mike Deters has trained the most winners this season with 27 wins. Jim McDonald used a training double to give him 19 tallies and second on the list. Gaston Lareau had two winners and is tied with Marc Major for third with 12 wins. Erv Miller and Braxten Boyd have 11 wins each and are tied for fifth best.
Tioga Downs returns to live racing on Sunday (July 11) with an 11-race card featuring two divisions of the New York Sire Stakes for 3-year-old trotting fillies starting at 1:00 p.m. (EDT).
(Tioga Downs)