Truth And Liberty (Mike Simons) charges late to win the Fillies & Mares Open 2 Handicap ($9,000) at Tioga Downs Friday (June 23). The 5-year-old Total Truth mare found herself fourth all the way to the top of the stretch. K J's Caroline (Jim Taggart Jr.) set the pace for the field of seven putting up the early fractions :26.2, :55.1, 1:23.1. Once they turned for home Truth and Liberty($6.80) who is owned by Tracy Moss and trained by Robert Lounsbury blew by them all, winning going away by three lengths in 1:52.4. KJ's Caroline gutted it out to hang on for second. Goldstar Rockette (Aaron Byron) finished third.
Simon's who picked up wins 35 and 36 on the night, won the nightcap with Iaquinta ($8.60). The 5-year-old Artzina mare was last until just after the first half. By the top of the stretch Iaquinta who is owned Brian Calvert and trained by Fred Cohen was heads apart with front-running Sinspirational (Tom Jackson). Iaquinta would fly right by to win in 1:54.0 for her fourth victory of the season. Sinsperational was second with Watt A Funny Face (Doug Bowins) getting third.
Mike Merton remained hot with two more wins himself. He would win with Celebrity Lampert ($6.10) in race number four. He would win race number 6 with Pokerface ($7.40). His 21 wins on the season are second to Simons.
Tioga Downs returns to action Saturday night (June 23) with a 10 race card starting at 6:50p.m.
For more information go to www.tiogadowns.com
