Tioga feature and three more for Mike Merton

Harness racing driver Mike Merton drove four winners including the featured $13,000 Fillies & Mares’ Open II Pace with Alta Madeira N (Alta Christiano) at Tioga Downs on Friday (August 19).

Prairie Westerngal (Mike Simons) went to the front.  A Better Game (Brandon Parker) took the lead at the quarter in :27.3 then went off-stride.  Alta Madeira N then took over with a lap to go.  She was first to the half in :57.0.  She led to three-quarters in 1:24.4.

As they made the turn for home it was all Alta Madeira N as she cruised to an easy win in 1:53.1.  Brilliant Beauty (Jim Taggart Jr.) took home second money.  Prairie Westerngal had to settle for third.

Alta Madeira N is a 5-year-old mare owned by Michael Spaccarelli and trained by Patti Harmon.  It was her sixth win this season.  She now owns 12 career victories.

ALTA MADEIRA N REPLAY

Merton got his other wins with Feverslastcruise ($7.50), Reticent Hanover ($7.70), and Pray And Hustle ($8.20).  Corey Braden drove three winners on the card. He got his wins with Stay Sexy ($6.60), Gold Star Igotdis ($4.30), and JP Silver ($5.60).

Tioga Downs returns to Live racing on Saturday (August 20) with a 10-race card starting at 6:15 p.m.

For complete race results, click here.

by John Horne, for Tioga Downs