Three-wide burst takes down Tioga Open

Mea Culpa A (Art Major) with harness racing driver Ridge Warren charged late to capture the $16,000 Open Handicap Pace at Tioga Downs on Sunday (May 5).

Lanjo Lee (Tyler Miller) went to the front and led to the quarter in :26.4.  Vel Mr Nice Guy (Joe Chindano Jr) came first- up to challenge heading around the second turn.  Lanjo Lee held him off and led to the half in :55.2.  Lanjo Lee continued to lead and hit three-quarters first in 1:23.0

As they made the turn for home Baba O’Riley (Barton Dalious) came first-up to challenge Lanjo Lee for the lead.  Mea Culpa A ($9.80) came flying three-wide and blew right on by to win in 1:53.2.  Baba O’Riley was second best.  Lanjo Lee had to settle for third.

Mea Culpa A is an 8-year-old gelding owned by JC Spindler, Joel Warner, and trainer Mike Deters.  It was his US win and first of the season.  He now has 20 career victories.

MEA CULPA A REPLAY

Greg Merton, Braxten Boyd, and Mike Merton all had driving doubles.

Live racing returns to Tioga Downs on Friday (May 10) at 6:15 p.m.

For more information, click here.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting Results

by John Horne, for Tioga Downs