Lady Saturn rallied late for driver Brett Crawford to prevail in the Friday, July 11 feature at Tioga Downs, a $14,865 fillies & mares conditioned pace.
Smooch (Jim Pantaleano) led to the quarter in :28.2 then Charming Vixen (Dan Rawlings) took control with a lap to go and was first to the half in :57.3. Prairie Magical (Braxten Boyd) made a move going first-up from fourth down the backstretch into contention while Charming Vixen held the lead to three-quarters in 1:25 and shook off that challenger as they reached the stretch. However, favourite Quarrel (Mike Merton) and second choice Lady Saturn came flying down the lane. Lady Saturn out-paced Quarrel and Charming Vixen with a :28 final quarter to win by a nose in 1:53.2.
Lady Saturn is a four-year-old mare by Huntsville out of P Note Blue Chip, owned and bred by Dragon Tales Farm of Burnt Hills, New York. Michelle Crawford trains the 12-time winner, who has earned four of her victories this year.
Live harness racing returns to Tioga Downs on Saturday, July 12 with a post time of 6:15 p.m.
(With files from Tioga Downs)