by Dustin Ross, Regional Racing Operations Manager, Tioga Downs

Nichols, NY — True Day Dream and Jim Meittinis captured a $35,383 division of the Tompkins-Geers for 3-year-old trotting fillies on Saturday night (July 20) at Tioga Downs.

Fred Brown photo

True Day Dream was a 1:56 winner in her Tompkins-Geers division.

Leaving from post four in a field of eight, Meittinis settled True Day Dream in second as she relinquished the lead to the favored Andie Sophia (Cat Manzi) by the quarter in :28.1.

Andie Sophia, who was coming off a Hudson Filly 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 1-1/2 lengths in 1:56. Dan O’Mara trains the daughter of Infinitif–Tenacious Victory for owner Joseph Hess. 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 finish 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 with Pine Credit in 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 they were 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 for trainer Erv Miller. Miller shares ownership of the 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 out of 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 more than $80,000 in seasonal earnings.

The second filly division is race eight with the six pack racing for a purse of $29,883. Shebestingin (Bettor’s Delight) is the most accomplished of the group with more than $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, David 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 appearence in the Open Pace on Sunday afternoon as well.

The fun starts at 1:30 p.m.