Nichols, NY – Agedchedar Hanover (Wally Hennessey) and Mighty Santana N (Braxten Boyd) settled for a tie in the co-featured $9,000 Open II Pace at Tioga Downs on closing night, Saturday (Sept. 25).

Agedchedar Hanover (#7) and Mighty Santana N (#6) dead heated in a Tioga Downs co-feature on closing night Saturday. Fred Brown Photo.

Agedchedar Hanover ($3.10) had the early lead.  Mighty Santana N ($2.10) took over before hitting the first quarter in :27.  He used a :29.1 second quarter to get to the half in :56.1.   Highrthananeagle A (Mike Merton) made a first-over move going down the backstretch.  Mighty Santana N shook him off and easily led to three-quarters in 1:23.3.

As they reached the stretch, Agedchedar Hanover popped out of the pocket and came flying at Mighty Santana N as they hit the line together for a dead heat in 1:52.  Mac Anover (Renaldo Morales III) finished third.

Mighty Santana N is an 8-year-old gelding by Santanna Blue Chip.  He is owned by Joel Warner and trainer Mike Deters.  It was his seventh win of the season and the 19th win of his career.  Agedchedar Hanover is a 5-year-old gelding by Betterthancheddar.  He is owned by Dona McDonald and trained by Jim McDonald.  It was his fifth win of the season and 15th of his career.

Anchors Away (Boyd) captures $9,000 Open II Trot

Anchors Away ($4) took the lead just before hitting the first quarter first in :28.1.  BJ Lorado (Jim Meittinis) took command with a circuit to go and led to the half in :57.2.  As they reached the backstretch, Anchors Away re-claimed the lead and led to three-quarters in 1:26.1.

As they made the turn for home, Swan Before All (Mike Simons) came all out on the chase.  Anchors Away dug in and held on to win in 1:56.2.  Swan Before All had to settle for second.  Lightfootedlegend (Renaldo Morales III) came up to finish third.

Anchors Away is a 4-year-old gelding by Whom Shall I Fear.  He is owned by Joel Warner and trainer Mike Deters.  It was his 11th win of the season and the 16th of his career.

For the third season in a row, Wally Hennessey is top driver.  He had 152 wins.  The Hall of Famer drove his 11,000th winner last Saturday at Tioga.

Braxten Boyd drove four winners on closing night and he finished second with 92 tallies.  Mike Merton finished third with 67 trips to the winner’s circle.  Marcus Miller (28) and Jody Jamieson (24) round out the top five.

Mike Deters is the 2021 top trainer with 61 wins.  Jim McDonald finished second with 37 victories.  Gaston Lareau was third best with 26 tallies.  Kevin Reynolds Jr. and Patti Harmon had 24 wins each to tie for fourth.

Elm Grove Nellie was named the Mare of the Year.  She is a 6-year-old mare by Stonebridge Terror.  Edgar Clarke is trainer and owner.

Pacer of the year goes to Shecouldbegood N.   She is an 8-year-old mare by Well Said.  She is trained by Patti Harmon for owners Harmon Racing Stable LLC., Lawrence Kittenplan, and William VanWie.

Trotter of the Year is Kazans Power.   He is a 4-year-old gelding by Cherry Hill Park.  Edgar Clarke is owner and trainer.

Joni Pontiere is the 2021 groom of the year.  She works for trainer William Popfinger.

Tioga Downs would like to thank all their fans, trainers, drivers, grooms, owners, and all the workers for a great 2021 season.  We will see you in 2022!

For more information go to www.tiogadowns.com.