Tioga: Custom Cantab wins final Miss Versatility prelim

Custom Cantab picked up her third stakes win of the year at Tioga Downs by taking Friday evening's lone $40,000 division of the last preliminary round of the Miss Versatility Series for trotting mares.

Luc Blais trainees Emoticon Hanover (Aaron Byron) and Dream Together (Wally Hennessey) were first and second through opening-half fractions of 26 4/5 and 56 3/5, with Ice Attraction (Mike Merton) moving first-over from third past the half and giving the second-over trip to Custom Cantab (Aaron Merriman).

Emoticon Hanover managed to hold off the pursuers to the 1:24 3/5 three-quarters and around the last turn, but Merriman tipped Custom Cantab three-wide, and she managed to chase down the Blais pupils in the lane, getting up to win by three-parts of a length in 1:53. Dream Together got up for second over her stable-mate.

"I felt very good," said Merriman. "She raced really, really well, and she kicked home good."

Trainer Chris Beaver also co-owns Custom Cantab, a 4-year-old Mr Cantab mare, with partners Donald Robinson and R.B.H. Ventures Inc. This was her 18th career victory, and she has now earned $928,033. She was the even-money favorite and paid $4.00 to win.

The Miss Versatility Series will conclude with the final on the undercard of the Little Brown Jug at the Delaware (Ohio) County Fair.