by John Horne, for Tioga Downs

Nichols, NY — Tioga Downs played host to a leg of the Kindergarten Classic for both 2-year-old pacers and trotters on Friday (Sept. 14). All classes raced for a purse of $10,000.

Fred Brown photo

Cloud Nine Fashion is now a perfect five-for-five in her career.

Cloud Nine Fashion remained unbeaten with a Kindergarten Classic win in the second division for trotting fillies.

Amanda Blue Chip (Scott Zeron) led the field to a first quarter in :28.3. Jezzys Legacy (Ray Schnittker) took her turn taking the lead with a lap to go. She led them to the half in :58.4 and three-quarters in 1:26.4. Cloud Nine Fashion ($3.30) went first-over just before the three-quarter mark. Owned by Fashion Farms and trained by Jim Campbell, she took over in the stretch and won easily in a lifetime best of 1:56. Jezzys Legacy held on for second. Amanda Blue Chip was third best.

Cloud Nine Fashion is a filly by Muscle Hill-I’m On Cloud Nine. She is now a perfect five-for-five in her career.

Starita (Tim Tetrick) won the first division of the Kindergarten Classic for trotting fillies.

Princess Deo (Troy Beyer) led to a first quarter of :28.2. Starita ($3.00) took over with five-eighths of a mile left. Trained by Joe Holloway for owners Val D’Or Farms and Theodore Gewertz, she controlled the rest of the fractions (:57.4, 1:26.1, 1:56). Second place finisher Big Weezy (David Miller) and Princess Deo (third) both came at her in the stretch but Starita was too tough.

Starita is a filly by Trixton-Morningstar. She captured her third career victory in eight lifetime starts.

Cub Fan (Tyler Buter) fired late to win the Kindergarten Classic for pacing colts and geldings.

Sweet Troy (Atlee Bender) went to the front and led to a first quarter in :28.2. Mountain High (David Miller) took control and led to a half of :58 and three-quarters in 1:25.4. Cub Fan ($4.40) was fourth at the top of the stretch. Owned by Michael Anderson and trained by Erv Miller, he came charging down the stretch to win in 1:54. Southwind Ozzi (Mike Simons) came up late to finish second. Escapetothebeach (Tim Tetrick) took third money.

Cub Fan is a gelding by So Surreal-Pardon. It was his second win in five career starts.

Cantab Fashion (Mike Simons) easily won the Kindergarten Classic for trotting colts and geldings.

Sheena’s Boy (Ake Svanstedt) took the group to a first quarter in :28.3. Cantab Fashion ($5.80) took over and never looked back, putting up the rest of the fractions (:58.1, 1:26, 1:54.2). Battenberg (David Miller) finished second with entry-mate Caesars Crazy (Tyler Buter) getting third.

Cantab Fashion is a colt by Cantab Hall-Defiant Donato. He now has three wins in four career starts. Trainer Jim Campbell and owner Fashion Farms teamed up for their second win of the night.

Michelon’s Filly (Marcus Miller) won the non-betting Kindergarten Classic for pacing fillies.

Alkippe (Tim Tetrick) controlled all the early fractions (:27.2, :56, 1:24.2). Michelon’s Filly followed in the pocket all the way until she got to the stretch. Trained by Erv Miller for owners Ronald Michelon and Michael Anderson, she flew by in late stretch to win in a lifetime best of 1:53. Alkippie settled for second. Under The Hood (Tyler Buter) was third best.

Michelon’s Filly is a filly by Captaintreacherous-New Album. It was her third win in seven lifetime starts.

Leading driver Mike Merton won four on the night to give him 65 wins on the season. He now leads by eight races with three more cards to go.

Tioga Downs returns to live racing with a 13-race card on Saturday (Sept. 15) at 6:15 p.m. For more information go to www.tiogadowns.com.