Favourites Prairie Panther (Wally Hennessey) and Rich And Miserable (Jim Taggert Jr.) won the co-featured Open events at Tioga Downs on Sunday afternoon (July 17).
Prairie Panther ($2.60) used a late spurt to capture the $12,000 Open Pace.
Keystone Tenacious (Aaron Byron) led to the first quarter in :27 then Kilowatt Kid N (Mike Merton) came first-up to take the lead with a lap to go. He was first to the half in :55.3. Prairie Panther made a move down the backstretch to challenge as Kilowatt Kid N led to three-quarters in 1:23.
As the field made the turn for home, Kilowatt Kid N opened up again by more than a length. As they reached deep stretch, Keystone Tenacious came first-up as Prairie Panther caught a second wind and came flying three-wide to get up for the win in 1:51.2. Keystone Tenacious earned second-place honours as Kilowatt Kid N had to settle for third.
Prairie Panther is an eight-year-old gelding by Royel Millennium. He is owned by Joel Warner and trainer Mike Deters. The win was his 10th in 19 starts this year and he now has 57 career victories.
Rich And Miserable ($3.10) took the $13,000 Open Trot.
Believer (Braxten Boyd) took the early lead but Rich And Miserable zoomed by just before hitting the quarter first in :28. He reached the half in :57 then Joxter (Dan Daley) came first-over and challenged for the lead. Rich And Miserable was first to three-quarters in 1:25 by three-quarters of a length.
As he made the turn for home, Rich And Miserable found another gear and drew off by 1-3/4 lengths to win in 1:53.3. Joxter held on for second and Nextroundsonme (Wally Hennessey) came up to finish third.
Rich And Miserable is a seven-year-old gelding by Explosive Matter. He is trained by Todd Buter for owners Buter Farm Inc., Lynette Buter, William and Carol Fuhs. The win was his fifth this season from 14 starts and he now has 38 career victories.
Wally Hennessey drove three winners on the card. Braxten Boyd, Mike Merton and Brandon Parker all had driving doubles. Paul Blumenfeld, Brianne Goode and Jim McDonald all had training doubles.
Live racing continues at Tioga Downs on Friday, July 22, starting at 6:15 p.m.
(With files from Tioga Downs)