Tioga hosts co-feature pace and trot

Can’t Sway Me (Heston Blue Chip) and driver Jim Taggert Jr. and Sweet Tactics (Tactical Landing) with driver Tyler Miller won the harness racing co-features at Tioga Downs on Saturday (August 26).

Can’t Sway Me ($6.60) captures the $11,000 featured pace.

Crown Hanover (Tyler Miller) was first to the quarter in :27.4.  Aces Or Bettor (Bruce Aldrich Jr.) came first-up to challenge going around the first turn.  Crown Hanover got there first in :56.3.  He led to three-quarters in 1:23.4.

As they reached the stretch Can’t Sway Me popped the pocket and came all out after Crown Hanover.  Second place finisher Crown Hanover dug in but Can’t Sway Me kept coming and went right on by to win in a lifetime best of 1:52.4.  Ship Disturber (Aaron Byron) finished third.

Can’t Sway Me is a 3-year-old gelding owned by Robert and Karen Costello while trained by Shane Taggert.  It was his third win this season.  He now owns four career victories.

CAN’T SWAY ME REPLAY

Sweet Tactics ($5.90) charges late to win the $11,000 featured trot.

The Black Ace (Bruce Aldrich Jr.) controlled all the early fractions.  He was first to the quarter in :28.0 and first to the half in :57.2.  He was cruising to three-quarters in 1:25.3 and looked to be unbeatable.

As they made the turn for home Sweet Tactics had other ideas and come first-up from third.  She took over the lead and held off a late charge by second place finisher Deli Tessel (Jim Taggert Jr) to win in a lifetime best of 1:56.1.  Slave Labour (Ridge Warren) finished third.

Sweet Tactics is a 3-year-old filly owned by Ecurie Jean-Pierre and trained by Julie Miller.  It was her fifth career win (all this season).

SWEET TACTICS REPLAY

Ridge Warren drove three winners.  Mike Merton and Jim Taggert Jr each had driving doubles.

Live racing returns on Sunday (August 27) with a 15-race card featuring four Empire Breeders Classic (EBC) races showcasing 3-year-old pacers starting at 1 p.m.

For more information, click here.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting Results

by John Horne, for Tioga Downs