Yonkers invader Analyze ($7.10) made a three-wide push on the far turn en route to a going-away victory in Friday (July 22) evening's featured $11,000 Mares Open 1 Pace at Tioga Downs, capping a driving grand slam for Mike Merton.
The four-year-old Neutralize mare sat well off the pace through the developing stages of the race, moving second-over on approach to the far turn to track cover from 6-5 favourite The Summer Wind (Jim Meittinis). As The Summer Wind failed to make any impression on pacesetter All Charged Up (Tom Jackson), Mike Merton swung Analyze three-wide to progress off the turn. Analyze lifted to the lead in mid-stretch under left-handed encouragement, stretching clear by one and a quarter lengths and prevailing in 1:53.2. K Js Caroline (Jim Taggart Jr.) saved second from a pocket trip with a late move up the pegs, and All Charged Up checked in an engulfed third.
Amber Buter trains 15-time winner Analyze for LRL Racing LLC.
The featured win capped a grand slam for Merton, who commenced the 10-race card with a natural hat trick. Favourites Lady Windsor ($4.20, 1:55.3), Stitch In Time ($4.70, 1:57), and Rustys Flying ($4.90, 1:53.2) accounted for Merton's three earlier wins on the program.
(Tioga Downs)