Rookie Mistake and driver Ed Hensley took home Saturday night’s featured event at Tioga Downs, the $18,000 Open Handicap Trot
.
Starting from post position number four, Hensley backed Rookie Mistake off the gate and ducked in fifth as Howd That Feel and Aruba Vacation battled through an opening panel of :27.3.
As the field passed the half mile mark of the race in :57.4, Hensley swung Rookie Mistake off the pylons to follow a first over Twin B Navigator and Robert Bath towards three-quarters in 1:27.
Around the final turn, Hensley asked Rookie Mistake for more trot three-wide and he responded surging to the front and holding off a fast closing Aruba Vacation from the pocket in 1:56.4.
Jennifer Lappe trains and owns the five-year-old son of CR Excalibur–Nowhere Fast, who posted his second win of the year with the victory, and returned $13 to win.
Aruba Vacation (Fern Paquet Jr.) was second, All About Justice (Phil Fluet) was third, and Jacks Reef (Corey Braden) rounded out the superfecta.
Ed Hensley and Phil Fluet each posted driving triples on the night’s 12-race card.
(Tioga Downs)