Custom Cantab and teamster Aaron Merriman reigned supreme in Friday’s $40,000 fourth leg of the Miss Versatility at Tioga Downs.
Emoticon Hanover (Aaron Byron) led the first quarter in :26.4. She continued to lead to the half in :56.3. Ice Attraction (Mike Merton) was the first to challenge as Emoticon Hanover led to three-quarters in 1:24.3.
Custom Cantab, who is owned by trainer Christopher Beaver, Donald Robinson, and RBH Ventures, was fourth after three-quarters. She would go four wide down the stretch to win in 1:53.0. Dream Together (Wally Hennessey) finished second with Emoticon Hanover settling for third.
Custom Cantab is a four-year-old mare by Mr Cantab. It was her third win this season. She now owns 18 career victories. She paid $4.00 to win.
Gigi From Fiji (Wally Hennessey) took the $11,000 Fillies & Mares Open 1.
Gigi From Fiji went to the front and controlled all the fractions of :27.2, :55.3 and 1:23. She got challenged by second place finisher Truth And Liberty (Mike Simons). Gigi From Fiji, who is owned by trainer Mike Deters, L Barnett, and J Spindler, was not to be denied and held on for the win in 1:52. Northern Dali (Fern Paquet, Jr.) finished third best.
Gigi From Fiji is a five-year-old mare by Ponder. She won for the ninth time this year. She now has 18 career victories. She paid $8.30 to win.
Mike Merton drove five winners on the night. He won with Blurred Lines ($3.80), Choochoocharlie ($6.00), Roaring Rei ($6.50), Runhappy Ten ($9.00) and R M Blackhawk ($9.40)
Tioga Downs returns to live racing on Saturday with a 13-race card starting at 6:15 p.m.
(Tioga Downs)