by Dustin Ross, for Tioga Downs

Nichols, NY — Cat Manzi and Duke Did It posted the fastest mile in the opening leg of the Kindergarten Classic Series on Sunday afternoon (July 1) at Tioga Downs.

Fred Brown Photography

Duke Did It holds off JK Earl The Pearl by a nose in their Kindergarten Classic Series division.

Duke Did It posted the front-end victory in 1:57 for the Duke Did It Stable and Susan Oakes, while Chris Oakes does the conditioning. The freshman son of Bettor’s Delight was an $80,000 yearling purchase at the Lexington Selected Sale in Kentucky.

Duke Did It found the winner’s circle in his first start of 2007 in a conditioned race at Pocono on June 19 in 1:55.3 with Manzi at the controls. The duo is now two-for-two on the season with earnings of $7,750.

JK Earl The Pearl was roughed up early, being parked to the half before sitting in behind Duke Did It. As they reached the top of the stretch, Tim Tetrick pulled JK Earl The Pearl and went back for more before losing by a nose at the wire.

Manzi completed the sweep of the colts and geldings divisions with a 1:57.2 mile sitting behind Hands To Yourself. The 2-year-old gelded son of Sealed N Delivered is trained by Angelo LaBella and was a $5,000 yearling acquisition at the SUNY Morrisville Sale in New York.

It’s The Papergirl (Chuck Connor, Jr.) and Away We Go (Bruce Clarke) each won their $10,000 divisions for 2-year-old filly pacers.

Mystic Gold defeated Tarver Hanover and Michaels Scores in the $15,000 Open Handicap Pace in 1:52.4. The 5-year-old son of Artsplace sat in the pocket behind pacesetter Tarver Hanover through fractions of :27, :55.1, and 1:23.3 before tipping to the outside at the top of the stretch to stop the timer first.

Mystic Gold is trained by Trevor Warwick for owners Bonnie Sue and David Aurichio. It was the fourth win in 12 starts this season for Mystic Gold, who increased his seasonal bankroll to more than $33,000.

In the $26,000 final of the Tioga Tyranny Pacing Series it was again Mike Simons in the winner’s circle with My True Delight. Owned by Judy Lanpher and trained by Tim Lanpher, the 4-year-old daughter of Bettor’s Delight stopped the timer in 1:54.1.

My True Delight has won three of her six starts in 2007 and with the win increases her seasonal earnings to more than $21,000.

Mike Simons and Bruce Clarke enjoyed triples, while Catello Manzi posted a driving double on the afternoon’s 11-race card.

Tioga Downs will continue live racing action on Wednesday, July 4, at 6:50 p.m. with a fireworks display and a free BBQ for the horsemen immediately following the races.