True Day Dream and Jim Meittinis
captured Saturday night’s $35,383 division of the Tompkins-Geers trot for
3-year old trotting fillies at Tioga Downs. Leaving from post position number
four in a field of eight, Meittinis settled True Day Dream in second as he
relinquished the lead to the favored Andie Sophia (Cat Manzi) by the quarter in
28.1. Andie Sophia who was coming off of her Hudson Trot victory then led the
field through fractions of 57.4 and 1:26.4 with her main contender sitting on
Manzi’s helmet. As the field headed into the stretch, Meittinis moved True Day
Dream to the outside and battled Andie Sophia through the stretch to get up and
win by a length and a half in 1:56. Dan O’Mara trains the 3-year old daughter
Infinitif – Tenacious Victory for owner Joseph Hess of New Milford, NJ. Andie
Sophia (Cat Manzi) finished second, while Silver Credit (Jim Marohn Jr.)
finished third.
The other division winner for the
3-year old trotting fillies was Southwind Cocoa (Jeff Gregory) in 1:57.2, after
the 2-5 betting favorite Classic Martine made a break just past the quarter.
Classic Martine (Jim Marohn Jr.) did rebound after dropping to last to close
and finished second.
In the $62,766 lone division for
3-year old trotting colts, Pine Credit received an extremely patient drive from
Brandon Simpson and it paid off. Simpson sat in with Pine Credit fifth as the
field was led through fractions of 28.4 and 58.3 by Crazy About Pat (Cat
Manzi). As the field passed by three quarters in 1:27.3, Simpson found room to
his right and slid Pine Credit to the outside. The duo began tracking horses
three wide around the final turn and as they entered the stretch he was picking
up ground on the leader Crazy About Pat with every stride. Pine Credit got up
to win in the final strides over Crazy About Pat by a neck in 1:56.4, for his
first seasonal victory of the year for trainer Erv Miller. Erv Miller shares
ownership of the 3-year old son of Credit Winner – Ms Piggy Pine with Harvey
Eisman and Paymaq Racing.
Sunday afternoon wraps up the Grand Circuit Tompkins-Geers
stakes for 2013.
A dozen sophomore pacing colts are
split into two sixes, each for a prize of $31,833 in races one and five. The
opener is an even field with Don't Ya Know a slight choice off of his win in
the Historic stakes here last month. He has followed that one up with two more
wins in overnights at Yonkers. Bluestone Farms, Kitty Hawk Stable and Val D'Or
Farms share ownership of the Western Ideal colt from Caviart Vegas, Joe
Holloway trains and David Miller drives.
The second division fave is Kenny
Jacobs good Art Major colt Doctor Butch. He won the Art Rooney last month and
has been on the board in every one of his 18 career outings while bringing home
more than a half million dollars. Linda Toscano trains this fella and Jim
Morrill, Jr has the drive.
Eleven filly pacers made for an
owner-friendly split of five and six in the stake.
JK Black Beauty (Bettor's Delight)
headlines the first division in race three. She is another Toscano trainee,
this one for the 3 Brothers Stable, who's been lightly raced but very
successful. JK Black Beauty captured the Lismore stake last month on her way to
over $80,000 in seasonal earnings.
The second filly division is race
eight with the six pack racing for a purse of $29,883. Shebestingin is
(Bettor's Delight) the most accomplished of the group with over $160,000 earned
this year on the strength of five wins in nine outings. She took her personal
speed record at Tioga in a NYSS event last month and is paired with her regular
driver, Dave Miller, for this engagement. Joe Holloway trains her for Val D'Or,
Ted Gewertz and L & L Devisser.
Kenny Jacobs' fan favorite and
track record holder Heston Blue Chip makes a local appearance in the Open
pace on Sunday afternoon as well.
The fun starts at 1:30.
