Gigi From Fiji and driver Wally Hennessey easily captured Friday’s $11,000 Fillies & Mares Open 1 at Tioga Downs.
K Js Caroline (Jim Taggart, Jr.) led to the first quarter in :26.3. Gigi From Fiji ($4.10) took control as they went by the stands for the first time. She led to the half in :55.2 and to three-quarters in 1:22.4.
Gigi From Fiji, who is owned by trainer Mike Deters along with L Barnett, J Warner, and J Spindler, found another gear as they reached the stretch. She would win going away with a seasonal best time of 1:51.1. Persistent Better (Jim Meittinis) came up to finish second. K Js Caroline was third best.
Gigi From Fiji is a five-year-old mare by Ponder. It was her eighth win this season. She now owns 17 career victories.
Hennessey drove four winners on the night. His other wins came with Check Mach ($3.10), Odds On Cheddar ($5.10), and Tap Tap Tap ($4.90).
Hennessey has a commanding lead for the 2019 top driver at Tioga Downs. With just eight live racing dates left he has 112 wins. Last year’s drivers champion Mike Merton is second with 66 tallies. Mike Simons is in third with 40 wins. Fern Paquet, Jr. is fourth with 33 trips to the winner’s circle.
The trainers title is still wide open. Mike Deters leads with 36 victories. Joe Skowyra is right on his heels with 34 wins. Patti Harmon is in third with 30 triumphs so far this season. Rick Dane, Jr. (27) and Jim McDonald (23) round out the top five.
There will be no live racing on Saturday due to the Smash Mouth concert. Tioga Downs returns to live racing on Sunday with an 11-race card starting at 1 p.m.
(Tioga Downs)