Lightfootedlegend stole the $7,000 Open Trot at Tioga Downs on closing night Saturday (Sept. 12).
Lightfootedlegend went to the lead from his outside post and led the group to the first quarter in :27.2. Prairie Fortune then took command as they went by the stands for the first time, leading to the half in :57.2. Bj Lorado angled first over from third moving to the backstretch but Prairie Fortune remained in command as he hit three-quarters first in 1:26.1.
As they made the turn for home it looked like Prairie Fortune was going to roll to victory but Lightfootedlegend had other ideas, sliding through an opening on the inside to win in a lifetime best of 1:55.4. Prairie Fortune had to settle for second. Clarion Hall came up to get third money.
Lightfootedlegend is a five-year-old gelding by Mr Cantab. He is owned by David Linker and trained by Dale Gilmour. It was his third win of the season and his eighth overall. Renaldo Morales III drove the $16.00 winner.
Leading driver Walley Hennessey drove four winners on closing night. Renaldo Morales drove three winners on the card. Joe Skowyra had a training hat trick with three winners.
Wally Hennessey won his second-straight diving title with 90 wins. Mike Merton ended up second with 71 tallies. Corey Braden (26), Tyler Buter (24), and Bruce Aldrich Jr. (22) rounded out the top five.
Rob Harmon nailed down the trainer’s title with 44 wins. Gaston Lareau was second with 34 victories. Joe “Scooter” Skowyra was third with 32 trips to the winner’s circle. Jim McDonald (27) and Mike Deters (26) rounded out the top five.
Tioga Downs would like to thank all the fans, horsemen, and horsewomen for a successful season even through these are tough times. We look forward to 2021.
(Tioga Downs)