Nichols, N.Y. -- Vernon invader A Penny Earned ($6.80)
employed a change of tactics on Friday (May 20) evening at Tioga Downs,
stalking cover and lunging to the line for a 1:55.3 triumph in the featured
$11,000 Open Trot.
After a slow start, Mike Simons pointed the 7-year-old
Conway Hall gelding second-over on the backstretch, drafting with the live
cover of Its Payday Friday (Dan Clements) after Lucid Thoughts (Tom Jackson)
rated a :57 initial half. The favored pacesetter accelerated en route to the
far turn, reaching three-quarters completion in 1:25.3, but he would ultimately
be headed off the far turn by the steadily advancing Its Payday Friday. A Penny
Earned angled off cover at head-stretch, battling to a half-length win in the
last yards. Its Payday Friday held second narrowly over B L Class Act (John
Cummings, Jr.), who mounted a stand-side rally after being shuffled to last on
the far turn.
Trainer George Ducharme co-owns A Penny Earned with the
partnership of Ross, Fontaine, and Oliva.
Jeffrey Long and Jim Taggart, Jr. both recorded driving
doubles on the eight-race card.
Live racing returns to Tioga Downs on Saturday (May 21),
with the first of nine races slated for a 6:30 post time.
