Boyd’s six-pack highlights Tioga Awards night

It was Déjà vu at Tioga Downs on Friday (September 18).  After getting six wins on Thursday, the meets leading driver matched it with six more wins.

Boyd got his wins with Blank Stare, Century Heineken, Son Of A Show, Combative, Brother Dick, and Eighty One.

Natameri (Tom Merton) captures the $15,500 Open Pace.

Natameri ($19.46) was first to the quarter in :26.4 and first to the half in :55.4.  Rockstar Artist A (Braxten Boyd) came first-up to challenge heading down the backstretch.  Natameri led to three quarters in 1:23.0.

As they reached the stretch second place finisher Lusaka N (Jim Pantaleano) became the major danger and went all out after the lead.  Natameri dug in and won in 1:50.4.  Mr. Huggins (James Kennedy) finished third.

NATAMERI REPLAY

Natameri is an 8-year-old horse by American Ideal.  He is owned by Purple Haze Stables and trained by Jessica Okusko.  It was his fifth win this season and his 36th career victory.

Tioga Downs gave away its end of the season awards last night.

The “Michigan Missile” Braxten Boyd won his third straight driver of the year title at Tioga Downs.  Braxten led all drivers with 132 wins (through Friday night).  Ridge Warren finished second with 88 victories.  Jim Pantaleano (79), Mike Merton (76), and Colin Kelly (25) round out the top five

The trainer of the year with 42 wins (through Friday night) is Rob Harmon.  Mike Deters was second with 33 tallies.  Michelle Warner (31), Enrico Robinson (29), and Kevin Reynolds Jr (23) round out the top five.

Kathleen Friedrich was named the groom of the year.

Livonjaxandqueens is the pacer of the year.  In 13 starts he had five wins, two seconds, and three thirds.  Livonjaxandqueens is a 6-year-old horse by American Ideal.  He is trained by James Rothfuss for owners Howard and Andrew Ouriel.

Enola is the mare of the year.  She won five times with three seconds and four thirds in 16 starts at Tioga.  Enola is a 6-year-old mare by Resolve.  She is owned by Go For Glory Stable and trained by Rob Harmon.

Super Duper Cooper was a perfect four for four this year at Tioga and is the trotter of the year.  He is a 5-year-old gelding by EL Titan.  He is owned by Pollack Racing and trained by Enrico Robinson.

Tioga Downs returns to live racing for closing night on Saturday (September 12) at 6:15 p.m.  They close out the 2026 season with the New York Sire Stakes Excelsior Finals.  Fireworks follow live racing.

For more information got to www.tiogadowns.com

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by John Horne, for Tioga Downs