Leading driver Mike Merton won five races to close out the 2018 season at Tioga Downs on Saturday, Sept. 22.
Merton had wins on the night with Lauxmont Capri ($2.80), Blueberry Heaven ($8.80), Ponyta Boy ($3.30), Haviture Way Honey ($4.10) and Frappe ($6.50).
"Magic Mike" Merton had a great season and an amazing last two days by winning 12 races to pull down his first driving title at Tioga Downs with 82 wins. Jim Taggert Jr. was second with 62 wins. Aaron Byron was third with 59 victories. Jim Meittinis secured fourth position with 56 tallies. Mike Simons rounded out the top five drivers with 47 wins.
Dreams Beachboy and driver Gates Brunet captured the featured $13,000 Open Pace.
Pretty Boy Swag led the group to a first quarter of :27.2. Dreams Beachboy ($7.20) took over as they headed by the stands for the first time. Owned by Crawford Farms Racing and trained by Brunet, he controlled to the half in :55.3 and led to three-quarters in 1:23.2. Pretty Boy Swag tried to get by but settled for second as Dreams Beachboy finished in front in 1:51.4. Time Out Im Tired finished third.
Dreams Beachboy is a six-year-old gelding by Somebeachsomewhere. It was his fifth win of the season and 23rd win of his career
Gary Messenger won his second training title at Tioga Downs with 40 wins. Mike Deters finished second with 35 wins. Patti Harmon had a very strong meet with 26 wins to finish third. Joe Skowyra, winning 25, and Gaston Lareau, winning 19, rounded out the top five.
Bj Lorado was the top trotter this season at Tioga Downs. Owned by Michael and Diane Norcross and trained by Marc Major, the four-year-old gelding by Bo W won six times in 17 starts at Tioga this year. He earned $40,435 this season.
The top pacer went to K Js Caroline. The eight-year-old mare by Roddys Bags Again won five times in 17 starts and earned $39,165. She is owned by Scott Woogen and trained by Gary Messenger.
The winner of the 2018 Toyota Corolla, part of the horseplay car giveaway promotion that ran all season long, was Andy Stromick.
Tioga Downs would like to thank the horsemen and all the fans for making 2018 a very special year. Racing returns to Tioga Downs in 2019 on the first Saturday in May.
(With files from Tioga Downs)