Nichols, NY – Truth And Liberty (Mike Simons) won the filly and mares featured pace ($12,000) on Friday (May 24) at Tioga Downs.

Velocity McSweets (Mike Merton) led to a first quarter of :27.1.  HP Sissy (Wally Hennessey) took over as they went by the stands for the first time before hitting the half in :56.2.

Truth And Liberty shook loose in mid-stretch and held off a late charge by Velocity McSweets on Friday at Tioga Downs. Fred Brown photo.

Truth And Liberty ($5.10), who is owned by Fairy Horsemother Stables and trained by Simons, battled HP Sissy all the way around the final turn.  Truth And Liberty had a short lead as they hit three-quarters in 1:23.4.  HP Sissy would battle back to re-claim the lead at the top of the stretch.  Truth And Liberty finally shook loose in mid-stretch and held off a late charge by second place finisher Velocity McSweets to win in a seasonal best of 1:51.4.  Northern Dali (Jim Meittinis) was third best.

Truth And Liberty is a 7-year-old mare by Total Truth.  It was her third win this season and her 37th career victory.

Mike Simons also trained and drove Oneida Blue Chip ($5.80) to a victory on the night.

Driver Jim Taggart Jr. and trainer Gary Messenger combined for two wins during the card.  They got their wins with Filly Forty ($6.40) and Classic Can Dream ($8.40).

Tioga Downs returns to live racing on Saturday (May 25) with a 10 race card starting at 6:15 p.m. For more information go to www.tiogadowns.com.