Nichols, NY — Miki Ray (Mike Merton) captured the $24,000 Jack Rossi Memorial Claiming Series final at Tioga Downs on Friday (June 26).
Bad Boy Too (Ron Cushing) led to the quarter in :27. Gotta Go Gram (Kyle Swift) took control with a circuit to go and was first to the half in :54.3. Miki Ray ($5.10) made his move heading down the backstretch. Gotta Go Gram led to three-quarters in 1:22.3.
Miki Ray and second-place finisher Gotta Go Gram battled shoulder to shoulder all the way down the stretch. Miki Ray surged late to win by a neck at the wire in 1:52. Bad Boy Too finished third.
Miki Ray is a 5-year-old gelding by Always B Miki owned by Jessica Cassar and trained by Darran Cassar. It was his third win this season and ninth career victory.
Jim Pantaleano had a driving hat trick. Greg Merton and Ridge Warren had driving doubles. Maria Alvarez had a training double.
Live racing returns to Tioga Downs on Saturday (June 27) starting at 6:15 p.m.
For more information, go to www.tiogadowns.com.