Nichols, NY — Rifleman (Corey Braden) hung on to capture the $12,000 Open 1 Handicap Pace at Tioga Downs on Tuesday (July 4).

Bay Meadows (Mike Merton) went straight to the front and led to the quarter in :27.1. He used a :28.4 second quarter to be first to the half in :56. Rifleman ($10.40) made his move first-up going up the backstretch, but Bay Meadows maintained the lead at three-quarters in 1:23.4.

As they made the turn for home, Rifleman took over control as Tiger Baron (Tyler Miller) came flying down the stretch. Tiger Baron kept coming, but Rifleman dug in and won in 1:52.2. Tiger Baron had to settle for second; Davids Coming (Jim Taggart Jr.) finished third.

Rifleman (yellow jacket, inside) narrowly held sway to defeat Tiger Baron in Tuesday’s Open 1 Pace at Tioga Downs. Fred Brown photo.

Rifleman is a 5-year-old gelding by Betting Line owned by Patrick Gregory and trained by Mike Watson. It was his fifth win this season. He now has 13 career victories.

Mike Merton drove three winners on the card. He combined with trainer Rob Harmon to get wins with Saulsbrook Hero and Higherthananeagle A; his other win came with Fabrice Hanover ($26.20).

Live racing returns to Tioga Downs on Friday (July 7) starting at 6:15 p.m. For more information, go to www.tiogadowns.com.