Lease Ness Monster ($3.30) and driver Mike Merton won the featured $12,000 Fillies and Mares Open on Friday night at Tioga Downs (July 7).
The six-year-old Lease On Life mare grabbed the lead just before the first quarter, controlling the pace going :26.2, :55 and 1:22.1 en route to the 1:50.4 victory. Owned by Matthew and David Waltz while trained by Patti Harmon, Lease Ness Monster was too strong for the late pressure of Sudden Change N (Jim Taggart Jr.), who settled for second. Gweneeee J (Jim Meittinis) came flying late to get the third spot.
Mike Simons remains top driver at Tioga Downs, adding two more wins tonight to push his total to 44. Mike Merton won twice as well to be second with 27 wins. Jim Taggart Jr. and Tom Jackson are tied for third with 26 wins a piece. Jim Marohn Jr. rounds out the top five with 20 wins in just 52 starts.
The trainers' race is much tighter. Mike Deters and Tony Dinges are tied with 14 wins each. The trio of Gary Messenger (11 for 75), David McGinnis (11 for 68), and Mickey McNichol (11 for 47), are all tied for third.
Live harness racing returns to Tioga Downs with a 10-race card on Saturday (July 8) at 6:50 p.m.
(With files from Tioga Downs)