Tgdn5.8 - Tui captures Tioga Saturday night feature

Tui (Greg Merton) shipped into Tioga Downs for the first time this year on Saturday night and captured the $16,000 open handicap trot. Leaving from post position number three in a field of seven, Merton settled Tui in second behind Aruba Vacation (Fern Paquet Jr.) as the field reached the quarter in 27.1. From there Paquet controlled the fractions of 56.4 and 1:24.3 and as the field rounded the final turn Merton edged Tui out of the pocket and to the outside. Down the stretch Tui struck the front but would have  one final push from Flex The Muscle (Phil Fluet) but would hang on to win by half a length in 1:54. It was the third win in ten seasonal starts for the 5-year old daughter of Windsong’s Legacy – Four Starz Glide for trainer and co-owner Donald Wiest. Flex The Muscle (Phil Fluet) finished second, while Aruba Vacation (Fern Paquet Jr.) hung on for third.

In the fillies and mares miracle mile II pace, Tracy’s Song came to Tioga Downs putting her eighteen race win streak on the line. Out of the gate, the mare found herself in an unusual spot sitting third through some swift fractions of 27.1 and 56.1. As the field reached the half mile mark Merton pulled Tracys Song first over but could not even move into the second position and faded badly through the last quarter mile to finish ninth as the 6-5 betting favorite in a field of nine. The race was won by Kendyl (Aaron Byron) in 1:53.2 from the nine hole and returned $72.00 for the win.

Tioga Downs continues live racing action on Sunday, June 16 with a post time of 1:30pm featuring the Historic Stakes for 3-year olds. For more information on Tioga Downs please visit us online at www.tiogadowns.com.