Nichols, NY – Truth And Liberty (Mike Simons) won the featured $11,000 fillies & mares open at Tioga Downs on Saturday (Aug. 10).

Truth and Liberty was the winner in Tioga Downs’ feature Saturday night. Fred Brown Photo.

Truth And Liberty ($5.50) led to the first quarter in :27.3.  Juxta Cowgirl (Aaron Byron) took control as they went by the stands for the first time and led to the half in :56.2.  Gigi From Fiji (Wally Hennesey) went first-over and put on the pressure as Juxta Cowgirl hit three-quarters first in 1:24.

Truth And Liberty, who is owned by Fairy Horsemother Stables and trained by Simons, squeezed through an opening on the inside as they went down the stretch.  They were three across the track as Truth And Liberty got up in time to win in 1:52.4.  Gigi From Fiji was second best with Juxta Cowgirl holding on for third.

Truth And Liberty is a 7-year-old mare by Total Truth.  It was her sixth win this season.  She now has 41 career victories.

Mike Simons and Mike Merton each drove three winners on the night.  Simons got his other wins with Celebrity Lover ($14.80) and Cinnamon Stick ($3.20).  Merton went to the winner’s circle with Hanovers Best ($3.40), Whip N Neigh Neigh ($4), and Dekeyser ($8.40).

Tioga Downs returns to live racing on Sunday (Aug. 11) with a 13-race card.  The card features the $148,000 Crawford Farms Open Trot and the $132,000 Joie De Vie open mare trot. There will also be  two eliminations for the Empire Breeders Classic featuring 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings.  Post time is 1 p.m.

For more information go to www.tiogadowns.com.