Driver Mike Merton drove four winners on the Monday (Sept. 4) card including a win with Bluesville ($9.30) in the $11,500 featured pace at Tioga Downs.
Machiatto A (Wally Hennessey) was first to the quarter in :27.2 and used a :29.1 second quarter to be first to the half in :56.1 and then cruised to three-quarters in 1:24. As they made the turn for home, Bluesville popped the pocket and the race was on. Machiatto A was all out to hang on to the lead but Bluesville was full of steam and blew right on by to win in a lifetime best of 1:51.3. Machiatto A had to settle for second. Parmesan N (Tyler Miller) finished third.
Bluesville is a four-year-old gelding by Huntsville owned by Big Sky Ranch and trained by Michelle Warner. The win was his third this season and he now has 11 career victories.
Merton got his other wins with Major Desire ($2.80) and he combined with trainer Rob Harmon to get wins with Coach Wendl ($51.50) and Spoileronthebeach ($6.70).
Live racing returns to Tioga Downs on Saturday (Sept. 9) starting at 6:15 p.m.
(With files from Tioga Downs)