KJ Hunter and Jim Taggart Jr. teamed up to score the 9-1 upset in the $12,500 Winners Over $10,000 Handicap feature on the Sunday (Sept. 10) card at Tioga Downs.
Bluesville (Mike Merton) grabbed the early lead off the gate with KJ Hunter applying pressure to his outside through an opening quarter of :27.2. KJ Hunter cleared just beyond the quarter before maintaining his lead to the half in :55.3. KJ Hunter remained unchallenged on the front, cruising to the three-quarter pole in 1:23.
KJ Hunter opened up a two-length lead on the field heading into the stretch. Sling Shock (Corey Braden) made a late rally up the inside inside, however, KJ Hunter would dig in gamely with a :28.2 last quarter to score the victory by three-quarters of a length in 1:51.2. Sling Shock finished second, with Machiatto A (Ridge Warren) finishing third. KJ Hunter paid $21.40 for the victory.
The victory was the third consecutive and ninth of the season for the four-year-old gelding by Huntsville-Winsmith Jess. Trained by Gary Messenger, KJ Hunter is owned by Scott Woogen and Brenda Messenger.
Leading driver Mike Merton and leading trainer Rob Harmon had another good day together at Tioga. Merton drove four winners on the card, with three of those victories coming in the bike for Harmon with Cellmate, Noted A and Takemetothelimit GB. Merton's other win on the card was with Regal Escape for trainer Joseph Sansone.
Jim Taggert Jr. added a driving triple on the 11-race Sunday card.
Live harness racing returns at Tioga Downs on Friday, Sept. 15, starting at 6:15 p.m.
(With files from Tioga Downs)