Makes Me Charlie tipped first-up heading onto the backstretch and battled to the line to win the $21,528 Open Handicap Trot at Tioga Downs on Saturday, Aug. 15.
Enola (Mike Merton) zipped out of post seven to lead at the quarter in :28.2 with Stormont Divide (James Kennedy) advancing, then performed the give-and-go to secure command going to a :56.4 half. Makes Me Charlie (Ridge Warren) made his move first-up going down the backstretch and encroached on Enola to three-quarters in 1:24.2, striking the front shortly after. A New Leader (Mitchell Cushing) then emerged off his cover and hounded Makes Me Charlie, but the Mets Hall-Makes Me Crazy gelding hung on for the quarter-length victory in 1:53.1. Enola finished third.
Makes Me Charlie is perfect in two starts since moving to the barn of Vern Smith after his July 26 start. The six-year-old is five-for-13 this year and 25-for-60 lifetime for owners Margaret and Amy Butler. He paid $4.32 to win.
After an amazing seven-win Friday night, Warren followed it up with a triple on Saturday. Braxten Boyd also won thrice.
Live racing returns to Tioga Downs on Sunday with a first post of 12:30 p.m.
(With files from Tioga Downs)