Nichols, NY — Compelling (Verlin Yoder) won the $8,000 Open Handicap Trot at Tioga Downs on Monday (June 15).

Compelling (Verlin Yoder) won the $8,000 Open Handicap Trot. Fred Brown photo.

BJ Lorado (Jim Meittinnis) went straight to the front followed by Beguin Dugoutier F (Fern Paquet Jr.). BJ Lorado controlled  the fractions of :28, :56.4, and 1:25.

Compelling ($2.20), who is owned and trained by Yoder, sat back in third as they entered the final turn and came first over as they made the turn for home. Beguin Dugoutier F squeezed in-between horses and they were three across the track in mid-stretch. Compelling was too strong and finished first in 1:53.4. Beguin Dugoutier F came through to get second. BJ Lorado had to settle for third.

Compelling is a 6-year-old mare by Swan For All. It was her second win this season and 15th career victory.

Wally Hennessey drove three winners and Jim McDonald trained three victories on the day. They combined for wins with Caviart Reagan ($4.00) and You Said It ($7.90). Hennessey also finished first with A Fool For Mark ($18.40). McDonald’s other win came with Boinganator ($4.40).

Live racing returns to Tioga Downs on Sunday (June 21) with a post time of 4 p.m. For more information go to www.tiogadowns.com.