by Dustin Ross, regional racing operations manager, Tioga/Vernon Downs

Nichols, NY — The Nichols True Value trotting series final headlines a 12-race card on Sunday, May 31, at Tioga Downs with the first post at 1:30 p.m. Nine 3-year old filly trotters will go to the post after a purse of $26,400.

J-Yo will look to improve off of her victory in last week’s division for trainer Chuck Connor, Jr. The daughter of Credit Winner-Striking Sibyl established a new lifetime mark of 1:57.2 as the 7-5 favorite last time out. Jim Morrill, Jr. was in the bike last week, but will not be at Tioga Downs on Sunday, so Connor has listed Stephane Bouchard on the driving assignment for the final. J-Yo sports a record of three wins and a second in seven lifetime starts with earnings of more than $19,000. She is owned by Fred Monteleone Stable.

Also looking for a victory in the final is Pembroke Firestorm from the Ed Hart stable, who also clinched one of last week’s divisions. The Malabar Man-Spring Laughter filly broke her maiden with a 1:58 score last week. However, she has drawn post position number nine for the final. Mike Simons has been listed on the driving assignment for owner William Varney.

Below is the field for the Nichols True Value Trotting Final (before driver changes):

$26,400 Nichols True Value Trot
HN-PP-Horse-Driver-Trainer
1-1-Mymomsablizzard-Taylor Gower-Taylor Gower
2-2-Mischief Lady-Jim Taggart, Jr.-Bruce Borden
3-3-Angus Clancy-Jim Marohn, Jr.-Paul Bernardo
4-4-J-Yo-Stephane Bouchard-Chuck Connor, Jr.
5-5-Promises Kept-Brian Mattison-Paul Kelley
6-6-Miss Isabelle-Jordan Stratton-Claude Huckabone, Jr.
7-7-Evergreen-Mike Simons-Peter Arrigenna
8-8-Hipo Beat The Odds-Mark Gingrich-E. Bucky Angle, Jr.
9-9-Pembroke Firestorm-Mike Simons-Edward Hart

Tioga Downs hosts live racing on Friday, May 29, and Saturday, May 30, with a post time of 6:50 p.m., along with Sunday, May 31, at 1:30 p.m. For more information on Tioga Downs visit www.tiogadowns.com.