Vegas Ticket hits jackpot at Tioga Downs

Vegas Ticket (Manofmanymissions) and harness racing driver Mike Merton captured the $12,000 featured trot at Tioga Downs on Saturday (May 11).

Discus Hanover (Tom Merton) went to the front and led to the first quarter in :28.0.  Vegas Ticket ($6.80) then took control as they headed to the stands for the first time.  Hockey Hanover (Greg Merton) then came first-over to challenge for the lead heading for the second turn.  Vegas Ticket had a short lead to the half in :57.3.  They continued to battle down the backstretch as Vegas Ticket led to three-quarters in 1:25.0.

As they made the turn for home Vegas Ticket shook off Hockey Hanover and held off the late charge of second place finisher Discus Hanover to win in a lifetime best of 1:54.2.  Ima Diamond Babe (Braxten Boyd) finished third.

Vegas Ticket is an 8-year-old gelding owned by Room4040 LLC Stables and trained by Peter Pellegrino.  It was his fifth win this season.  He now has 24 career victories.

VEGAS TICKET REPLAY

Ridge Warren drove three winners on the card.  Erv Miller had a training double.

Live racing returns to Tioga Downs on Sunday (May 12) at 1 p.m.

For more information, click here.

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

by John Horne, for Tioga Downs