Thrilling finish to award-deciding match race at Tioga

In a one-on-one race for the title of Pacer of Year, P L Princess C (Thinking Out Loud) and harness racing driver Jeff Long captured the much anticipated $10,000 match race at Tioga Downs on closing night Saturday (September 23).

Talk Show Chica (Corey Braden) blasted right out of the gate and led easily to the quarter in :29.2.  She crawled to the half in 1:01.1.  Talk Show Chica remained in the lead hitting three-quarters first in 1:28.4.

As they made the turn for home P L Princess C popped the pocket and the race was on.  Talk Show Chica dug in and P L Princess C kept coming.  Both mares gave it everything they had.  P L Princess C used a late lunge to win by a head in the end in 1:56.1.  The race couldn’t have been more exciting.

P L Princess C is a 4-year-old mare owned by Charlene Long and driver Jeff Long while trained by Paul Long. In 14 starts this season at Tioga she now has eight wins, three seconds, and a third. P L Princess C Is now the pacer of the year with her impressive win in the match race.

Knight Angel (Archangel) is named trotter of the year.  He had five wins, three seconds, and two thirds in 15 starts at Tioga.  The 7-year-old gelding is owned by Jaypaul Hoover and trained by Julie Miller.  His steady driver is Tyler Miller.

Mike Merton is driver of the year.  “Magic Mike” had 115 wins.  Ridge Warren (69), Tyler Miller (65), Jim Taggert Jr. (58), and Aaron Byron (35) round out the top five.

Rob Harmon is top trainer with 59 wins.  Mike Deters was second with 27 tallies.  Michelle Warner (22), Shane Taggert (21), Julie Miller (21), and Stacey McLenaghan (20) round out the top six.

Deborah Gagnon was groom of the year.

Tioga Downs wants to thank the fans, the horse people, and the employees for a great season.  See you next May.

For more information, click here.

For match race results, click here: US Trotting results.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by John Horne, for Tioga Downs