Prairie Cougar pounces on opponents

Prairie Cougar and driver Braxten Boyd were able to pounce on on the field late in winning the harness racing featured pace for fillies and mares at Tioga Downs Thursday.

Faithful Desire (Corey Braden) grabbed the early lead but Pretty Image (Jim Meittinis) went on by to take command just before hitting the first quarter first in :26.3.

Landry Seelster (Brett Beckwith) went along side and battled around the clubhouse turn. Pretty Image held a short lead to the half in :55.3. Sunrise Hanover (Mike Simons) came three-wide past the tiring leaders and took the lead to three-quarters in 1:24.2.

As they made the turn for home Prairie Cougar ($4.20) went on the chase and she ran down second place finisher Sunrise Hanover to win in 1:53. Persistent Bettor (Renaldo Morales III) came up to get third.

Prairie Cougar is a 5-year-old mare by Royel Millennium. She is owned by Laurie Poulin, Barbara Jenson, and trainer Mike Deters.

It was her third win of the season and the 15th win of her career.

PRAIRIE COUGAR REPLAY

Mike Merton drove four winners on the card. He won two races with trainer Kevin Reynolds Jr. They won with Railee Workable ($7.00) and Delilah De Vie ($5.90). Merton got his other wins with A Wish For Wings ($6.10) and Danzon Hanover ($5.70)

Wally Hennessey leads all drivers with 112 wins. Braxten Boyd is second on the list with 61 victories. Mike Merton has reached the winner’s circle 55 times this season for third best. Jody Jamieson (24) and Marcus Miller (22) round out the top five.

Mike Deters has trained the most winners this season with 44 wins. Jim McDonald is second in wins with 25 tallies. Gaston Lareau is third with 20 victories. Patti Harmon (18) and Kevin Reynolds (17) round out the top five Tioga Downs returns to Live racing on Saturday (August 21) with a 12-race card starting at 6:15 p.m. For more information click here.

For full race results, click here.

by John Horne, for Tioga Downs