by James Witherite, Tioga Downs racing media

Nichols, NY — After proving a gritty winner in both his preliminary events, Jeneral Patton ($2.80) earned a hard-fought 1:51.3 victory in Sunday (July 5) afternoon’s $42,800 final of the Nichols True Value pacing series at Tioga Downs.

Fred Brown photo

Jeneral Patton held off a late inside charge from Stratocaster to take the $42,800 Nichols True Value pacing series final.

Jim Marohn Jr. brushed to the lead with the 4-year-old Art Major son after a :27 first quarter, clearing Gokudo Hanover (Tom Jackson) with a circuit to go. He then yielded to Let’s Foal Around (Mike Simons), who claimed commend on entry to the clubhouse turn after dueling for the lead at race’s outset.

With Let’s Foal Around taking charge through a :54.3 half-mile, Jeneral Patton was able to draft along comfortably in the pocket as the mid-race leader faced heavier pressure. With three-eighths to go, Let’s Foal Around faced pressure from a first-over Idealbeach Hanover (Brandon Simpson) and the two dueled through a 1:22.1 three-quarter sectional while Marohn angled Jeneral Patton three-wide on the far turn.

In upper stretch, Jeneral Patton kicked clear of his dueling rivals, but was chased valiantly by a late-charging Stratocaster (Aaron Byron) up the pegs. Jeneral Patton responded to the late threat, holding sway by a half-length. Stratocaster’s potent inside kick earned him second honors, and the tiring Let’s Foal Around held third.

Linda Toscano trains Jeneral Patton for owner Kenneth Jacobs.

Marohn took the $10,000 Open II Pace earlier on the card, driving Ron Burke trainee Eastend Eddie ($3.30) to a 4-1/2 length win over Electrofire (Simons) and Lauxmont Capri (Jim Taggart Jr.) by way of a third-over trip. After losing cover on the approach to the far turn, the 7-year-old Million Dollar Cam gelding began to edge away, drawing off for a 1:51.2 score.

The afternoon’s co-featured Open I Pace carried a purse of $14,000 and saw Believe This Bob ($3.30) dictate the terms through strong fractions before drawing clear to a 3-1/2 length win over U Belong To Me (Marohn) and Bettorsluckystreak (Taggart).

Aaron Byron drove the 7-year-old Beach Romeo gelding for trainer Joe Skowyra.

Byron led all drivers with three wins on the 11-race card.

Live racing returns to Tioga on Friday (July 10) evening, with post time scheduled for 6:15 p.m. (EDT).