Nichols, N.Y. -- Prairie Fortune ($4.90) mounted a bold
three-wide push on the backstretch to circle his six rivals in Saturday (July
23) evening's $11,000 Open Handicap Trot at Tioga Downs, dueling late with the
first-over Rossini for his third Open-level win in four starts.
Jim Meittinis took the 4-year-old Arapa Victory gelding to
last early on, letting DC Flashback (John Cummings, Jr.) and Dragin the Wagon
(Corey Braden) alternate on the lead through early splits of :27.1 and :57.2.
As Rossini (Scott Coulter) mounted a bold first-over push into Dragin the Wagon
on approach to the backstretch, Prairie Fortune slid third-over before
commencing his strong three-wide bid with three-eighths to go. The now 20-time
winner worked into the lead midway on the far turn--but he wasn't home free.
Off the corner, Rossini battled back between horses once
headed, leading briefly in mid-stretch. Prairie Fortune ultimately reclaimed
command in the final yards, besting Rossini by a neck in 1:54.2. Dragin the
Wagon was a worn-down third.
Trainer Mike Deters co-owns Prairie Fortune with breeder
Laurie Poulin.
Fresh off his Friday grand slam, Mike Merton once again led
all drivers for the evening, capturing three of the night's 10 races.
Live racing returns to Tioga with an 11-race card on Sunday;
post time is 1:30 p.m. Eastern. As no one hit tonight's 50¢ Pick 5, $243.60
will carry over into Sunday's Pick 5 pool.
