Nichols, NY — Tay Tay M ($20.60, Renaldo Morales III) pounced from the pocket to capture the featured $12,000 Fillies and Mares Open 1 Pace on Friday (May 17) at Tioga Downs.

Tay Tay M recorded a 9-1 upset off a pocket trip in Friday’s top distaff pace at Tioga Downs. Fred Brown photo.

HP Sissy (Jim Meittinis) put up early numbers of :28, :56.4 and 1:24.2, while Tay Tay M rode in the pocket all the way to the top of the stretch. She went to the front and held off a late charge from second-place finisher Velocity McSweets (Mike Merton) to win in a lifetime best of 1:53. Northern Daily (Wally Hennesey) was third.

Tay Tay M, a 5-year-old mare by Six Of Diamonds, is trained by Kim Sears for owners Jay Sears and Richard Dunmire. It was her third win this season and the 11th of her career.

Mike Merton had three winners on the night, teaming up with Lotus Seelster ($15.40), Gold Star Mysti ($9.30) and Marvalous Jet ($7.70).

Live racing returns to Tioga Downs on Saturday (May 18), with an eight-race card starting at 6:15 p.m.

For more information, go to www.tiogadowns.com.