by John Horne, for Tioga Downs

Nichols, NY — The first race of the Tioga Downs 2017 season was the $12,000 Open Trot.

Fred Brown phot

Warrawee Preferred won by a length in 1:55.

The front running favorite Dragin The Wagon (Aaron Byron) would lead the field all the way until deep stretch. Warrawee Preferred (Jim Taggart Jr.) followed the leader in the pocket the whole way.

Taggart would then pop out of the pocket with the 6-year-old Federal Flex gelding in mid-stretch. Owned by Scott Woogen and trained by Gary Messenger, Warrawee Preferred ($9.20) would go right by to win by a length in 1:55. Dragin The Wagon would settle for second with the hard charging Oho Diamond (Ronny Morales) getting third.

Tioga Downs will have a 10-race card starting at 1 p.m. on Sunday (May 7).

For more information go to our website at www.tiogadowns.com.