Tgdn5/8 - Nichols True Value Pace Takes Stage

Three divisions of the Nichols True Value late closer took place on a calm and cool night at Tioga Downs. The first division seemed all but a lock on paper for the 2/1 morning line favorite Fearless Diablo, fresh off six wins in his last eight starts. Things seemed headed in that same direction as pilot Victor Kirby and Fearless Diablo cruised thru fractions of 27.3, 57, and 124.4 but E Street Plan and Mike Simons proved why races are not won on paper. Sitting the perfect pocket trip, Simons edged off the last turn and kicked home with a 27.3 last quarter to stop the tele-timer at 152.3.

In the second division race favorite Eastend Eddie got his way early with soft fractions of 28 and 57.1 before pilot Sean Bier blitzed the field with a back half in 55.1 crossing the line in 152.2. The win pushed the earnings of the four year old gelding to just over $100,000 lifetime.

The third and final division of the Nichols True Value pace was the most closely contested. Mike Simons and Finn Man cut the early fractions of 27.1, 55.4 and 123.2 while Sean Bier and Gotta Love Him sat the pocket. In deep stretch Bier angled Gotta Love Him out and wore down Finn Man right at the wire to get up by a neck in 1:52.4.

Driver Jim Marohn, Jr., Jim Meittinis and Sean Bier posted driving doubles while trainer Santo Zuzolo posted a training double. Live racing returns Sunday afternoon with 13 races going forward at 1:30pm. For more information please visit our website at www.tiogadowns.com.