Odds-on choice So Diva ($4.80) and driver Tom Merton won the $10,500 featured Fillies & Mares Open 2 Handicap Pace at Tioga Downs on Friday, July 7.
Elegant Noelle (Aaron Byron) led to the quarter in :26 then took a 29-second breather to reach the half in :55. So Diva made her move first-up from third heading down the backstretch and took control at three-quarters in 1:22. As the distaffers reached the stretch, Arnies Angel (Ridge Warren) and Pearl Harbour N (Mike Merton) went all out after the leader but So Diva was too strong and won in 1:52.2. Arnies Angel was second and Pearl Harbour N finished third.
So Diva is a five-year-old mare by So Surreal. She is owned by trainer Michelle Warner and Rita Scharman. The win was her third this season from 11 starts and she now has 22 victories lifetime.
Mike Merton drove three winners on the card, combining with trainer Rob Harmon for a pair.
Live harness racing returns on Saturday with an eight-race card starting at 6:15 p.m.
(With files from Tioga Downs)