by Dustin Ross, for Tioga Downs

Nichols, NY — Tompkins-Geers stake racing action wrapped up on Monday night (July 23) at Tioga Downs with one division for 3-year-old filly pacers and four divisions for 2-year-old colt pacers.

Fred Brown Photography

Elusive Prey was a 1:55.2 winner for Mike Simons in the 3-year-old filly pace.

Elusive Prey and Mike Simons took the lone division for 3-year-old fillies with a front end effort in 1:55.2. The sophomore daughter of Western Hanover cut fractions of :29, :58 and 1:26.2 before shuffling home in :29.

The winner’s share of the $40,910 purse increased her bankroll to more than $192,000 with a record of three wins, five seconds, and three thirds in 11 seasonal starts. Kevin Johnson trains the filly pacer, who is a half-sister to early Woodrow Wilson favorite Duneside Perch.

George Teague, Jr. and Jim Morrill, Jr. teamed up with Major Duke in his pari-mutuel debut to take a division for 2-year-old colt pacers. The Art Major colt was sent to the front and never looked back en route a 1:57.4 score over a ‘sloppy’ track. Major Duke was a $75,000 yearling purchase at the Standardbred Horse Sale in Harrisburg for owners D’Elegance Stable IX, Noel Daley and Sampson Street Stables.

Jim Morrill, Jr. posted a driving triple while Howard Parker drove for a double on the night’s 10-race card. With the two wins on the card, Parker passed Stephane Bouchard’s win total from 2006 to move into the all-time lead for number of wins in a season at Tioga.

Tioga Downs continues live racing action next weekend on Friday, July 27, with a post time of 6:50 p.m. On Sunday, July 29, Tioga will host its first annual Drivers’ Championship that will feature Tim Tetrick, Brian Sears, Ron Pierce, Yannick Gingras, Tony Morgan, David Miller, Andy Miller, Mike Simons and Jody Jamieson, with a post time of 1:15 p.m.