Agedchedar Hanover (Wally Hennessey) and Mighty Santana N (Braxten Boyd) settled for a tie in the co-featured $9,000 Open II Pace at Tioga Downs on Closing Night (Saturday, Sept. 25).
Agedchedar Hanover ($3.10) had the early lead before yielding to Mighty Santana N ($2.10) in a :27 quarter. Mighty Santana N used a :29.1 second quarter to get to the half in :56.1. Highrthananeagle A (Mike Merton) made a first-over move going up the backstretch, but Mighty Santana N shook him off and easily led to three-quarters in 1:23.3.
As they reached the stretch, Agedchedar Hanover popped out of the pocket and came flying at Mighty Santana N, and they hit the line together for a dead heat in 1:52. Mac Andover (Renaldo Morales III) finished third.
Mighty Santana N is an eight-year-old gelding by Santanna Blue Chip owned by Joel Warner in partnership with trainer Mike Deters. It was his seventh win of the season and the 19th win of his career. Agedchedar Hanover is a five-year-old gelding by Betterthancheddar owned by Dona McDonald and trained by Jim McDonald. It was his fifth win of the season and 15th of his career.
Anchors Away (Boyd) captured the $9,000 Open II Trot.
Anchors Away ($4.00) took the lead just before hitting the first quarter in :28.1, but BJ Lorado (Jim Meittinis) took command with a circuit to go and led to the half in :57.2. As they reached the backstretch, Anchors Away reclaimed the lead and led to three-quarters in 1:26.1.
As they made the turn for home, Swan Before All (Mike Simons) came all-out on the chase. Anchors Away dug in and held on to win in 1:56.2. Swan Before All had to settle for second. Lightfootedlegend (Renaldo Morales III) came up to finish third.
Anchors Away is a four-year-old gelding by Whom Shall I Fear. He is owned by Joel Warner and trained by Mike Deters. It was his 11th win of the season and the 16th of his career.
For the third season in a row, Wally Hennessey finished as the top driver. He had 152 wins. The Hall of Famer drove his 11,000th winner last Saturday at Tioga. Braxten Boyd drove four winners on closing night and he finished second with 92 tallies. Mike Merton finished third with 67 trips to the winner’s circle. Marcus Miller (28) and Jody Jamieson (24) rounded out the top five.
Mike Deters was the top trainer of the 2021 meet with 61 wins. Jim McDonald finished second with 37 victories. Gaston Lareau was third best with 26 tallies. Kevin Reynolds Jr. and Patti Harmon had 24 wins each to tie for fourth.
Elm Grove Nellie was named the mare of the year. She is a six-year-old mare by Stonebridge Terror owned and trained by Edgar Clarke.
Pacer of the year honours go to Shecouldbegood N, an eight-year-old mare by Well Said. She is trained by Patti Harmon for owners Harmon Racing Stable LLC., Lawrence Kittenplan and William VanWie.
The trotter of the year is Kazans Power. He is a four-year-old gelding by Cherry Hill Park owned and trained by Edgar Clarke.
Joni Pontiere is the 2021 groom of the year. She works for trainer William Popfinger.
Tioga Downs thanks their fans, trainers, drivers, grooms, owners, and all the workers for a great 2021 season.
(Tioga Downs)