Morrisville College Sale Late Closer Underway

On a windy, rainy night at Tioga Downs, the first leg of the Morrisville College Sale late closer was contested with three divisions behind the gate.

In the first division, race favorite Opinion Hanover left from the gate to take the field through fractions of 29.2, 1:00.3, and 1:28.4.

Unchallenged throughout, Sean Bier cruised through the wire with the four-year-old gelding in 1:57.4.

Mr Fenwick was second and Permanent Joy rounded out the trifecta.

In the second division, To Cash A Tune benefited from a perfect steer by driver Mike Merton who sat along the rail third thru fractions of 27.4, 58, and 1:27.3.

The battle was raging early with Dangerismybusiness and In Nomine Patri locked in a muscle tussle on the front end.

Mike Merton steers To Cash a Tune to victory for his 1,999th career win

In the stretch, Dangerismybusiness tired and Merton moved To Cash A Tune up the inside for a two length victory in 1:59.

South Jersey Bugsy got up for second and In Nomine Patri held on the third.

The third and final division featured an upset winner with a 21-1 shot crossing the wire first.

Just like his namesake wasn’t built in a day, Rome and driver Jim Marohn, Jr. patiently sat fourth along the pylons while race leader Client Nine carved out the fractions of 28.1, 58 and 1:27.1.

At the top of the stretch, Marohn angled out Rome and rolled past the race leaders stopping the timer in 1:58.3.

Tioga’s 2011 pacer of the year Leanback Coco got back on track with her first win in the 2012 meet.

Driver Jim Meittinis sat a perfect pocket trip and edged out in the stretch to slip past a tiring All About Kisses to a three and a half length victory.

Smoke Pan Mirrors closed from far back to finish second while Just A Glimpse came on late to finish third.

Driver Jim Marohn, Jr. had five winners on Friday's card while Mike Merton notched win number 1,999 in the sixth race.

Mike will have four chances for win number 2,000 on Saturday night's card beginning with the 7/2 second choice Technicalybroadway in the second race.

Saturday's 12-race card kicks off at 6:50pm.

For more information about Tioga Downs, please visit our website at www.tiogadowns.com.