Arnies Angel romped the field to capture the featured $12,000 Fillies & Mares Open Pace at Tioga Downs on Saturday (July 16).
Alta Madeira N led to the quarter in :27.2. Prairie Westerngal then took over as they headed by the stands for the first time. Georgie came first-over and the two battled all the way to the half. Prairie Westerngal had a short lead hitting the half in :55.3. Arnies Angel then made a three-wide move blasting right on by down the backstretch. She was by herself in first at three-quarters in 1:23.0.
As they made the turn for home the battle was for second as Arnie’s Angel breezed down the stretch to win in a seasonal best 1:52.1. Alta Madeira N took home second money. So Diva (Brandon Parker) finished third.
Arnies Angel is a six-year-old mare by Big Jim. Randy Taft trains for owners Mali Norbye and Arnold Witkin. It was her fourth win this season and her 16th victory overall. Jacob Cutting drove the $7.80 winner.
Wally Hennessey had two wins on the card and leads all drivers with 70 wins. Mike Merton had a driving triple and is in second with 54 victories. Corey Braden is in third place using two wins on the night that gives him 31 wins this season. Aaron Byron (25), and Mike Simons (13) round out the top five.
Patti Harmon is the top trainer so far this season with 25 triumphs. Mike Deters is currently second with 19 wins. Joe Skowyra is third best with 16 victories. Jim McDonald’s 14 wins has him in fourth place. Gaston Lareau and Randy Taft each have 13 tallies and are tied for fifth.
Tioga Downs returns to live racing on Sunday (July 17) with a 13-race card starting at 1 p.m. (EDT).
(Tioga Downs)