by Dustin Ross, Regional Racing Operations Manager, Tioga Downs

Nichols, NY — Cathy’s Princess and Jim Meittinis captured the $39,200 Williams Auto Trot final on Sunday afternoon (June 30) at Tioga Downs.

Fred Brown photo

Cathy’s Princess won the Williams Auto Trot final.

Leaving from post five in a field of six, Cathy’s Princess got away second as Ima Que T (Jim Marohn, Jr.) led the field to the opening quarter in :27.4.

At the quarter pole, Meittinis moved Cathy’s Princess to the outside and took control from Ima Que T and led the field through middle fractions of :56.3 and 1:25.1.

Around the final turn, the second choice in the wagering, Mistress Valentine (Corey Braden), moved first over to challenge the leader and was just a half-length off in the final turn. As the field entered the stretch, Meittinis went to work on Cathy’s Princess and was able to hold off the late surge from Mistress Valentine in 1:53.4. Ima Que T hung on for third.

It was the fourth win in six seasonal starts for the 5-year-old daughter of Malabar Millennium–Mystical Woman who is owned by Paul Vance and Tom Haughton.

In the $16,000 Open Pace, Sheer Brilliance (Sean Bier) took on all challengers and parked May Day (Jim Taggart, Jr.) throughout the mile to win in 1:49.4.

It looked as though Sheer Brilliance was going to give way in the lane to a fast closing Eastend Eddie (Jim Marohn, Jr.), but the tough 8-year-old gelding fought back to score his 37th career victory. Jeff Long trains and co-owns the son of Blissfull Hall–High Roller Ash with Paul Long.

Tioga Downs continues live racing action on Thursday (July 4) with a post time of 6:50 p.m. and will feature fireworks immediately following live racing.

For more information on Tioga Downs visit www.tiogadowns.com.