Mike Merton enjoyed six trips to the winner's circle on the special Monday (Sept. 2) matinee card for Labor Day at Tioga Downs.
Merton kicked off his success with John Grasso's student, Jeannies Action ($4.20), in the $12,838 conditioned trot. The pair led every step of the way en route to a 3-1/4 length triumph in 1:56.4 for owner John Grasso Stable Inc.
In the next race, an $14,865 conditioned trot, Merton returned to the winner's enclosure with Creedmore ($4.40) after a 2-1/2 length victory in 1:56.4 for trainer Tee Wine and owner Jemaxpo Racing Stable LLC.
Race five's $14,865 conditioned trot saw Merton win again with John Stubits' Lil T K Lo ($29.40). Co-owned by Stubits with Kathryn Rea, the Heston Blue Chip - Da Believer gelding upset at 14-1, winning by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:52.4.
Dale Gilmour sent out Ny Jim ($8.20) in the $12,162 conditioned pace in race eight, giving Merton his fourth win by two lengths in 1:54.3. Fortunate One LLC owns the winner.
Consus Victory ($6.20) and Merton won the $12,162 conditioned trot in race 13 off a pocket trip, snapping the win by a neck in 1:55.2 at the wire for trainer Rob Harmon and owners Jay and Melissa Appelblatt.
Finally, Merton capped off his six wins with a win in the finale, a $9,460 conditioned pace. Merton took Nolaughingstock ($3.20) home to win by three-quarters of a length in 1:53.3 for trainer Joseph Sansone and owners Mr. Michael Musacchio Jr., Mark Taylor, and Jennifer Russ.
Trainer Jeff Cullipher nabbed four wins on the Monday card, teaming up with driver Tyler Miller for all four. Lava Field ($3.80) won by 3-1/2 lengths in 1:54.3, Jk Black Gold ($9.20) triumphed by three-quarters of a length in 1:51, Huntanover ($6.70) won in 1:52 by 1-1/4 lengths, and Sport Secret ($2.60) completed the barn's success with a 3-1/4 length win in 1:51.
Blackhawk Zette (Marcus Miller) took the $16,216 featured pace on Monday.
Blackhawk Zette was first to the quarter in :28 and he used a :29.2 second quarter to be first to the half in :57.2. Resolve To Win (Tyler Miller) came first-up to challenge going down the backstretch. Blackhawk Zette first to three-quarters in 1:25.4. As they reached the stretch Blackhawk Zette found another gear and cruised home to win in 1:54.2. Resolve To Win had to settle for second while P Chico (Braxten Boyd) finished third.
Blackhawk Zette is a three-year-old colt by Cantab Hall, owned by JL Sadowsky and trained by Robert Baggitt Jr. He has nine wins this season and 10 career victories.
Live racing returns to Tioga Downs on Saturday (Sept. 7) at 6:15 p.m.
(With files from Tioga)