Nichols, NY — Prairie Fortune (Jim Meittinis) won the featured $12,500 Open Handicap Trot at Tioga Downs on Saturday (June 23).

Prairie Fortune ($6.40) charged to the front and led the group to a :28.2 first quarter.  He led to the half in :58.0.  Dragin The Wagon (Aaron Byron) followed in the pocket.  As they reached the backstretch Taco Tuesday (Mike Simons) went first-over and put on the pressure.

Prairie Fortune, who is owned by trainer Mike Deters and Laurie Poulin, led to three-quarters in 1:26.0.  He would put away Taco Tuesday at the top of the stretch.  Prairie Fortune cruised to the victory in 1:54.1.  Dragin The Wagon was second best with Taco Tuesday settling for third.

Prairie Fortune is a 7-year-old gelding by Arapa Victory.  It was his fourth win in 2019 and he now has 51 career victories. 

Leading driver Wally Hennessy drove five winners on the card.  He got his wins with Geronimo Fame ($2.70), My Cousin Vinnie ($3.50), Bazaar Bazaar ($14.60), Celebrity Lover ($6.10), and Campbellini ($3.90).

Tioga Downs returns to live racing on Sunday (June 23) with 12 races starting at 1:00 p.m.

For more information go to www.tiogadowns.com.