Maggie Q N holds on in Tioga thriller

Maggie Q N (Captain Crunch) and harness racing driver Jim Pantaleano grab the featured $9,500 fillies & mares’ pace at Tioga Downs on Friday (8-28).

Maggie Q N ($13.32) blasted to the first quarter in :27.0.  She used a :28.4 second quarter to be first to the half in :55.4.  Cruise Alert (Mike Merton) came up to challenge heading down the backstretch.  Maggie Q N was first to three quarters in 1:23.3.

As they made the turn for home second place finisher Pick Me Up Hanover (Kyle Swift) came charging after Maggie Q N.  The two mares slugged it out down the stretch.  Maggie Q N held on to win by a nose.  Aint She Pretty (Ridge Warren) finished third.

MAGGIE Q REPLAY

Maggie Q N is a 5-year-old mare by Captain Crunch.  She is trained by Jenny Melander for owners Jose Cervantes and Friendship Stables.  It was her sixth win this season and seventh career victory.

Braxten Boyd had a driving grand slam.  He finished first with Park Street blues, Sandy Mitternacht, Artic Thunder, and Talbotcreekwhiskey.  Mike Merton had a driving hat trick.  Kyle Swift had a driving double.  Jaymes McAssey had a training double.

Tioga Downs returns to live racing on Saturday (August 29) at 6:15 p.m.

For more information got to www.tiogadowns.com

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

by John Horne, for Tioga Downs