Purple Lord made it back-to-back wins at Tioga Downs as he stepped up in class and won the featured $17,808 Winners Over Trot on Saturday, July 26.
Jim Pantaleano had Purple Lord on top into the first turn, but Duly Resolved (Tyler Miller) took over just past the quarter in :27.2. He led to the half in :56.3 and onto the backstretch, where Oliver The Great (Kyle DiBenedetto) made a move first-up and pressured the leader through three-quarters in 1:24.3. Purple Lord ($5.50), in the pocket turning for home, slipped through on the inside and slid by Duly Resolved in deep-stretch to win in 1:54.4. Duly Resolved was beaten a half-length in second. Sevenshotsobourbon (Tom Merton) finished third.
Purple Lord is trained by Mike Deters, who co-owns the gelding with John Spindler, Joel Warner, and Mike Paulson. The five-year-old son of Tactical Landing-Paige Hanover notched his 14th career win in start 70. He is now five-for-19 this season.
Dan Rawlings had a driving hat trick on the card.
Tioga Downs will hold its next card on Sunday, July 27 with a post time of 1 p.m.
(With files from Tioga Downs)