Miley Rose hangs tough in beating race favorite

Miley Rose (So Surreal) and harness racing driver Mike Merton captured the $13,000 Fillies & Mares Open 1-2 Handicap Pace at Tioga Downs on Saturday (May 13).

Prairie Westerngal (Wally Hennessey) went straight to the front and led to the quarter in :28.1.  Miley Rose ($13.80) came first-up from third and took over with a circuit to go.  She was first to the half in :57.0.

Arnie’s Angel (Ridge Warren) was first to make a move challenging for the lead going down the backstretch.  Miley Rose shook her off and led to three-quarters in 1:24.4.

As they reached the stretch Prairie Westerngal popped the pocket and went all out after the leader but had to settle for second as Miley Rose hung on to win in 1:53.3.  Brilliant Beauty (Tyler Miller) finished third.

Miley Rose is a 6-year-old mare owned by Donn Lewandrowski and Gail Farrell while trained by Michelle Warner.  It was her second win this season and her 31^st career victory.

MILEY ROSE REPLAY

Hennessey had a driving grand slam on the card.  He got wins with Willie B Worthy ($3.30), The Boss Man ($2.10), April Ava ($2.40), and Jks Lifesaver ($7.10).

Live racing returns on Sunday (May 14) with a 12-race card starting at 1 p.m.

For more information, click here.

For complete race results, click here.

by John Horne, for Tioga Downs